Any violent act of this magnitude inspires outrage and sorrow, but the death of innocent school children is especially heart rending. The loss of children is particularly tragic because it is through the peace process that we are trying to create for them a better future. I want to offer our condolences to the people of Israel and to the families of the victims. We share their grief. We condemn this cowardly act in the strongest possible terms.
Violence can never be an answer.
It can only produce more victims. We call upon all leaders in the region to calm the situation, to do their utmost to prevent future violence in any form, and to redouble their efforts to forge a just and lasting peace.