[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 49 (Monday, December 10, 2001)]
[Page 1739]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Arrival From Camp David, Maryland

December 2, 2001

Bombings in Israel

    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. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon 
of Israel and Chairman Yasser Arafat of the Palestinian Authority.