Washington, DC – Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks today on his hopes that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority will continue.

“Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas took the extraordinary and bold step of re-launching direct peace talks under a framework presented by President Obama to come to a final peace agreement within a year.  As a longtime advocate for a two state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living side-by-side in peace and security, I strongly support this renewed effort and recognize the courageous steps both sides have taken to come back to the negotiating table.  Moreover, Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Abbas have demonstrated the understanding that the peace process will require more than empty rhetoric to succeed. 

“There are many actors on both sides that will work to undermine and destroy the negotiations.  But just as Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas showed that peace will not be brought down by extremists when they came together to forcefully condemn the terrorist attacks in Hebron which left four Israelis dead, so too is it important to continue negotiations in the face of new obstacles.  The continuation of the peace process is not just imperative for Israel and the Palestinians, for peace between Israel and all her neighbors, but it is also in the best interest of American national security.  As President Obama said recently before the United Nations, ‘Now is the time to build the trust - and provide the time - for substantial progress to be made. Now is the time for this opportunity to be seized, so that it doesn't slip away.’”