Frank Pallone: “I wanted to discuss the trip but, in particular, discuss the troubling developments in the Middle East peace process…”

“I wanted to discuss the trip but, in particular, discuss the troubling developments in the Middle East peace process that have occurred since the trip when we were there in early August. I have to admit that for myself and probably all of my colleagues on the trip, we were hoping to return from Israel with stories of remarkable steps being taken towards peace in the region. I wanted to be able to return and tell my constituents that progress was being made, that things were getting better, and that families were safer. However, many of us returned from Israel, and I know I did, uneasy about what we saw and concerned about the future of the peace negotiations. In our meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and then Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas, they both expressed a willingness to work towards a peace settlement. But while the talk was positive, there seemed to be no action on the part of the Palestinian Authority to eliminate Hamas and the other violent factions of the organization, despite concessions by Israel on political prisoners and the control of territories.”