Statement on the Tel Aviv and West Bank
Terrorist Attacks
(July 17, 2002)
I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to the
families of those killed and to the wounded in the homicide bomb attack
today in Tel Aviv and the attack yesterday in the West Bank. The American
people and I condemn these despicable acts of terror.
Once again, terrorist violence directed against Israelis
has taken innocent life. Peace cannot be built on a platform of violence
against innocents.
These terrorist acts are also attacks on our efforts
to restore hope to the Palestinian people. There is now broad international
consensus - as evidenced by the meetings this week in Washington and
New York - on the need to support Palestinian reform, address the urgent
humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, and restore momentum toward
a two-state solution. As I said on June 24, the hopes of a few cannot
be allowed to hold the hopes of many hostage.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |