Q: The Zionist Organization of America is appalled that the President’s speech in Annapolis omitted any mention of Israel when he referred to countries that have been victims of Islamist terrorism. And my question: Why did the President do this, given 1,700 Israeli citizens murdered by Islamo-fascists, and 10,000 more maimed by then since 1993?
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I think there’s no stronger friend and supporter of Israel than the President and this administration. And we have stood by Israel, and we will continue to support Israel.
Q: Why did he not mention that with all those other countries?
MR. McCLELLAN: He talks about the Middle East often, he talks about Israel often.
Q: But why at Annapolis did he leave out Israel?
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I don’t think that’s the way to look at it.
Q: You don’t? Well —
MR. McCLELLAN: He often talks about our friend —
Q: Why did he miss at Navy — and mention all those others?
MR. McCLELLAN: Les, I just answered it. And I don’t think that’s the way to look at it.
Go ahead.
Q: Getting back to the question —
MR. McCLELLAN: He didn’t mention — he didn’t mention every single country that has been attacked by terrorists.
(Full text of the press briefing is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051202-2.html)