15 November 2003

Presidential Statement on Istanbul Synagogue Bombings

Bush condemns November 15 attacks that kill a reported 20 persons

President Bush condemned November 15 bombings at two Istanbul synagogues that killed a reported 20 persons. Following is the text of his statement:

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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
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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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)