    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [December 2, 2001]
    [Page 1466]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of 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.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:26 a.m. on the South Grounds at the
    White House upon returning from Camp David, MD. In his remarks, he
    referred to Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority.