[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 19 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[Pages 708-709]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem

May 15, 2008

    Thank you all for coming. Never a man to shy away from a microphone. 
[Laughter] I didn't realize it got so cold here in Jerusalem in May. 
[Laughter] Yes, but thanks for coming.
    I first want to thank James Snyder and the museum folks for hosting 
this fantastic reception. Mr. President, thanks for joining us, and Mr. 
Prime Minister, I'm so honored that you all would take time to be here, 
as I am, members of your cabinet, members of the Knesset. We've got 
leaders from around the world who are here to share in this fantastic 
celebration. Laura and I really wanted to come by and say thanks to our 
fellow Americans for coming as well.
    So I'm driving in the limousine, waving at friendly faces, half of 
whom seem to be from California or--[laughter]. I hope you're having as 
much fun as we are. It's been a--it's been such a fantastic couple of 
days for us, and what a fitting way to end with our buddies from the 
United States of America. You know, Israel has got no closer ally than 
America, and one of the reasons why is because of the connections 
between our--citizens of the U.S. and the citizens of Israel.
    And so we're thrilled to be with you. We're also honored to be steps 
away from some of the oldest Biblical texts. I don't know if you've had 
a chance to go through the museum. I strongly urge you to do so--if they 
open it up for you like they did--[laughter]. But these documents tell 
the story of the righteous--of a righteous God and His relationship with 
an ancient people.
    There's no doubt in my mind that the patriarchs of ancient Israel 
and the pioneers of modern Israel would marvel at the achievements of 
this nation. I mean, if you really think about it, I doubt few of the 
prognosticators would have projected Israel to be what it is today: a 
modern, thriving democracy in the heart of the Middle East. It's been an 
amazing transformation of dry valleys to

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fertile lands. And the new technologies being nurtured here are a great 
testimony to the truest resource of the Israeli people, and that's the 
brain power and ingenuity and drive.
    I gave a speech today in the Knesset. It was such an honor to stand 
in that hallowed hall. One of the things I wished I would have projected 
maybe more clearly was the fact that this is a land of courageous 
people, people who have had to withstand bombings and suiciders but 
never lost faith, people who have shown incredible resilience. And it's 
a nation worthy of our support and a nation worthy of our friendship.
    As I said in my speech, I'm--I truly believe that if we stay firm in 
our resolve, resist the temptation to give in to the terrorists, and 
believe in the transformative capacity of liberty, someday other nations 
in the region will share the blessings of democracy and liberty. Someday 
they'll know that they'll have governments that respond to the people. 
They'll build schools instead of bombs. That they'll not want a war with 
their neighbors, but want to live in peace. And that's the dream, and 
that's the hope. And I firmly believe it can come true.
    I do want to pay tribute to one brave soul, and that is Liviu 
Librescu. I don't know if you remember him, but he was the teacher at 
Virginia Tech. His folks live in Israel. I bring him up because it was a 
courageous act of selflessness--he blocked the doorway to his classroom 
with his body to allow his students to escape. And I think it's a 
fitting final statement here in Israel for me to make--to say that, 
isn't it amazing that a survivor of the Holocaust gave his life for 
others in the Virginia countryside? And I just want his family to know 
that we appreciate his courage and that his legacy lives on.
    And so thanks for coming. Thanks for honoring a great nation and a 
worthy friendship. I'm proud to be here on Israeli soil as the President 
of the United States of America. I'm proud to carry our banner of 
liberty around the world. And I'm proud to proclaim our deep desire for 
peace.
    Thanks for coming. God bless you. God bless Israel, and God bless 
America.

Note: The President spoke at 7:40 p.m. In his remarks, he referred to 
James S. Snyder, director, the Israel Museum; and President Shimon Peres 
and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel.