Statement on Middle East
Terrorism
December 5, 2001
I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that
took the lives of 26 innocent Israelis and wounded
at least 175 more in Jerusalem and Haifa during
the weekend of December 1-2, 2001. I grieve for
the lives lost on that weekend and for the hundreds
of innocents, Israelis and Palestinians, who came
before them. The continuing spiral of death and
despair of which the latest brutal killings are
part must end. We must acknowledge the shared
humanity of both Israelis and Palestinians and
recognize the pain of all those who have been
victims of terrorism. In the words of Bat Shalom,
Israelis and Palestinians must recommit themselves
to the "principles of justice, democratic values,
and equality." Meanwhile, the United States can
and should play a key role as an honest broker
in helping the parties bring about a just and
lasting peace.
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