15 November 2003

Presidential Statement on Istanbul Synagogue Bombings, November 15, 2003

(THE WHITE HOUSE, Statement by the President, Office of the Press Secretary, November 15, 2003.)
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In reaction to this weekend's terrorist attacks on Istanbul's Jewish community, the White House issued a statement by President George W. Bush strongly condemning the attacks and extending U.S. condolences to the Turkish government and its people.

Statement follows:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2003

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks today in Istanbul, where Turkey's diverse religious communities of Muslim,Jewish, and Christian believers have flourished together for centuries.

The focus of these attacks on Turkey's Jewish community, in Istanbul's
synagogues where men, women, and children gathered to worship God, remind us that our enemy in the war against terror is without conscience or faith.

Turkey has suffered terrible losses from terrorism for decades, and the
United States stands resolutely with Turkey in the global war on terrorism.

On behalf of the American people, I express our condolences to the families of the victims, to Turkey's Jewish community, and to all the people of the Turkish Republic.

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