Statement on Bombings in Israel
(December 2, 2001)
In a couple of minutes I'll have the honor of receiving
the Prime Minister from Israel. We obviously changed our schedule because
of the horrific acts of murder that took place in his land.
I will tell him that I strongly condemn the acts of
murder that killed innocent people in Israel. I will tell him our Nation
grieves for those whose lives have been affected by the murderers.
This is a moment where the advocates for peace in the
Middle East must rise up and fight terror. Chairman Arafat must do everything
in his power to find those who murdered innocent Israelis and bring
them to justice.
Clearly, there are some in the world who do not want
us to achieve peace in the Middle East. Clearly, there are some that,
every chance they have, they will use violence and terror to disrupt
any progress that's being made. We must not allow them to succeed. We
must not allow terror to destroy the chance of peace in the Middle East.
Now is the time for leaders throughout the world who
urge there to be a peace to do something about the terror that prevents
peace from happening in the first place.
May God bless the Israeli citizens who lost their lives,
and their families.
Thank you.
Sources: Public Papers of the President |