Political Quotes

“on a separate issue, today, several of my Senate colleagues and I will be hosting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and members of his Cabinet here in the United States Capitol. I have met with President Abbas on several occasions, most recently during my trip to the Middle East in May and his visit to Washington later that month a few weeks after our visit there. President Abbas is here to discuss ways to move the Middle East peace process forward, and how both sides can fulfill their obligations under the roadmap. Less than 2 months ago, Israel completed its disengagement of settlers and soldiers from all 21 settlements in the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank. The disengagement was conducted in a smooth and generally peaceful manner. This was a bold and courageous move by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Now President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority face the challenge of creating a secure and stable environment in Gaza. It is vital, it is critical that they succeed. The Palestinian people need to feel tangible improvements in their everyday lives, in their daily welfare, and they need to see that only peaceful dialog and negotiation can lead to a more prosperous future. While coordination between the Israelis and Palestinians during the disengagement was not ideal, it did exist.…”