Bush Expresses Condolences for Terrorist Attacks against Israelis

(Says violence undermines hopes for peace) (299)





President Bush has offered his deepest condolences to the families of


Israeli victims of terrorist attacks July 16 and 17.





In a White House statement July 17, Bush said terrorist attacks


undermine efforts to restore hope to the Palestinian people.





He added that there is a broad international consensus to help reform


the Palestinian Authority, provide humanitarian assistance to the


Palestinian people and restore a political dialogue between Israelis


and Palestinians.





Following is the text of Bush's statement:








(begin text)





THE WHITE HOUSE


Office of the Press Secretary


July 17, 2002





STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT





Tel Aviv and West Bank Terrorist Attacks





I offer my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those


killed and to the wounded in the homicide bomb attack today in Tel


Aviv and the attack yesterday in the West Bank. The American people


and I condemn these despicable acts of terror.





Once again, terrorist violence directed against Israelis has taken


innocent life. Peace cannot be built on a platform of violence against


innocents.





These terrorist acts are also attacks on our efforts to restore hope


to the Palestinian people. There is now broad international consensus


-- as evidenced by the meetings this week in Washington and New York


-- on the need to support Palestinian reform, address the urgent


humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, and restore momentum


toward a two-state solution. As I said on June 24, the hopes of a few


cannot be allowed to hold the hopes of many hostage.








(end text)