Chuck Schumer: “I rise today to say I am stunned and saddened by the violence which has erupted in the Middle East. I am saddened by the…”

“I rise today to say I am stunned and saddened by the violence which has erupted in the Middle East. I am saddened by the loss of four innocent and brave American sailors, victims of malicious, malevolent, maddening terrorism that has no rationale, no justification. My prayers and thoughts are with their families, as well as with those who have been injured and those who are missing, and their families as well. Terrorism can strike anywhere at any time. We have to be doing all we can in this Chamber to deal with it. I am stunned also that after 7 years of good faith negotiations all too many Palestinians still see violence as the means to achieve their ends. The violent pictures we saw of the two Israeli reservists being thrown from a window and brutally beaten is enough to turn anyone's stomach. Pictures such as that and so many other pictures that we have seen are not only very disturbing to us, but it lessens the chances for peace in the Middle East. I am disappointed and sad that Chairman Arafat has failed to stop or even condemn the violence.”