[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 19 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[Pages 710-711]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in a Discussion With Israeli Youth in Jerusalem

May 16, 2008

    The President. Please sit down. First of all, Laura and I are 
honored that you'd join us. Thanks very much for sharing some thoughts 
with us. As you know, we're parents of young professional women. We're 
interested to know what's on your mind. And if

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you've got any questions of me, I'll be glad to answer them.
    What's on my mind is peace. I hope someday that everybody will be 
able to coexist and respect each other's religions and work together for 
harmony. And I believe it's possible. And I know it's going to happen 
when young people put a--get their minds together and say, ``Listen, 
let's make this work.''
    So I'm interested in your thoughts, and so is Laura. And we're 
pleased to be joined by Condoleezza.
    And perhaps you'd like to say something to begin with?
    Participant. Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, thank you so much for 
choosing to spend this time with us. This is an amazing opportunity, and 
I'm very honored and glad to be here. Congratulations, mazel tov for 
your daughter's wedding. [Laughter]
    I think this museum comes to show how unique this land and this 
region is. It's so rich with history, the cradle of civilization. While 
on the other hand, we see that Israel is such a new, vibrant country, 
only 60 years old. And we're still building our country; nothing is for 
certain here. And we--I, my friends, we want peace; we want to see the 
world like--live in peace, especially in this region. And I do hope--and 
I guarantee that myself as, hopefully, a future leader will do the best 
I can, the best of my abilities in order to make it happen.
    I think that it's for now. [Laughter]
    The President. Thank you. You want to share some thoughts?

[At this point, another participant made brief remarks.]

    The President. Thanks.

Note: The President spoke at 10:30 a.m. at the Bible Lands Museum 
Jerusalem. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of State Condoleezza 
Rice.