Too Much Smoke
Bush condemns 'barbaric and vicious attack'Israel vows not to allow yeshiva shooting slammed by PA President Abbas to derail peace talks. Leaders, diplomats from multitude of nations issue harshly worded condemnations; US president reiterates American support for Israel in phone call to PM Olmert
Roni Sofer
Latest Update: 03.07.08, 09:34 / Israel NewsUS President George W. Bush telephoned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday night and expressed his condolences over Thursday's terror attack which left eight yeshiva students dead.
"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack in Jerusalem that targeted innocent students at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva. This barbaric and vicious attack on innocent civilians deserves the condemnation of every nation," Bush said in a statement.
The US president added that he had spoken with the Israeli prime minister to extend his "deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and to the people of Israel.
"I told him the United States stands firmly with Israel in the face of this terrible attack," Bush said.
US: Mideast peace bid must go on despite attackWhite House urges Israel, PA to keep negotiations going despite attack on Jerusalem yeshiva. 'The most important thing is that the peace process continues,' says White House spokesman
Reuters
Published: 03.07.08, 19:17 / Israel NewsThe White House on Friday urged Israel and the Palestinians to stick with US-backed peace efforts despite a shooting attack that killed eight students at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem.
"The most important thing is that the peace process continue and that the parties are committed to it," White House spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters.
Thursday's attack by a Palestinian gunman dealt another blow to US President George W. Bush's bid for a peace deal before he leaves office in January 2009, a goal already beset by deep skepticism and persistent violence.
Condemning the deadliest attack in Israel in two years, Bush said earlier that the United States stood firmly with the Jewish state, Washington's close ally.
Asked whether the White House was disappointed by the UN Security Council's failure to condemn the assault, Fratto said, "There's nothing to explain that an attack of this nature deserves nothing less than condemnation."
"It was extremely disheartening to see people in the streets in Gaza and elsewhere celebrating. That was fairly disgusting actually," He added.
None of the above makes any sense to me, Jews are murdered but the peace talks must move on.
It makes about as much sense to me as if someone during the Holocaust the only thing that they spoke out against was the environmental impact that all the smoke was making.
Shame on Bush,Rice and Olmert for standing by innocent blood, both the blood shed yesterday and that which will be shed in the future on the alter of the idol called peace.
