White house statement by President Bush on northern border situation
July 13, 2006

Today, President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke about the developing situation in the Middle East. Speaking about Israel specifically, the President said, "We were headed toward the road map, things looked positive, and terrorists stepped up and kidnapped a soldier, fired rockets into Israel. Now we've got two more kidnappings up north. Hezbollah doesn't want there to be peace. The militant arm of Hamas doesn't want there to be peace. And those of us who do want peace will continue to work together to encourage peace."

The President went on to say that, "Israel has a right to defend herself. Every nation must defend herself against terrorist attacks and the killing of innocent life. It's a necessary part of the 21st century."