Denmark's prime minister: 'An attack on the Jewish community is an attack on Denmark'

 By 
Megan Hess
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt addressed the weekend's attacks in Copenhagen on Monday, saying the gunman responsible for the attacks likely wasn't part of an organized cell and that there were no signs of links to a wider terror network.

Thorning-Schmidt also called out violent extremism and inspired a sense of nationalism and strength through solidarity.

A gunman opened fire at a free speech event and a synagogue in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Saturday. Two people were killed in the attacks, including a Danish filmmaker attending the free speech event and a Jewish security guard shot in the head outside the synagogue; five police officers were wounded in the attacks. Police have shot and killed the man suspected of carrying out the attacks, and two men suspected of helping the gunman behind the deadly attacks were jailed for 10 days.

It was the country's first fatal terror attack in 30 years.

A full house of Danish and international press awaited Thorning-Schmidt at the press briefing. "An attack on the Jewish community is an attack on Denmark," Thorning-Schmidt said during the press briefing. "We wouldn't be the same without the Jewish community in Denmark."

Justin Cremer, an editor at The Local Denmark, tweeted some of Thorning-Schmidt's comments.

"The Danish democracy is strong. The Danish nation is strong." #cphshooting pic.twitter.com/3QMUDpaspx— Justin Cremer (@justinCPH) February 16, 2015

PM: "This is not a conflict between Islam and the West. It is a conflict between the core values of out society and violent extremists"— Justin Cremer (@justinCPH) February 16, 2015

PM use short presser to say that Denmark stands strong after attack, values its Jewish community and appreciates intl support #cphshooting— Justin Cremer (@justinCPH) February 16, 2015

Contrary to claims of the Jewish community Danish PM says: "protection of the Jewish community was increased after the Paris attacks."— Anshel Pfeffer (@AnshelPfeffer) February 16, 2015

Denmark has complicated citizenship rules, but PM said today that #cphshooting gunman was Danish citizen http://t.co/lyxGnKE90s (1/2)— Justin Cremer (@justinCPH) February 16, 2015

(2/2) We knew he was "born in Denmark" but in DK that is not always enough for citizenship. http://t.co/lyxGnKE90s #cphshooting— Justin Cremer (@justinCPH) February 16, 2015

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!