Fortenberry Welcomes Middle East Peace Talks

LINCOLN, NE — Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today voiced his support for the direct Middle East peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“It is important that the U.S. and other responsible nations support diplomatic efforts to help secure the Middle East,” Fortenberry said. “The current uncertainty is potentially disastrous. It is time to seize the headlines from those in the region who promote violence, enmity, and chaos.

“Although this profoundly complicated situation will not be solved overnight, the administration should be commended for its work in bringing Israel and the Palestinian Authority to the table. It is my hope the direct talks will outline a viable path to establish the two-state solution, providing security for Israel and stability for the Palestinians. These talks present an historic opportunity to diminish terrorist activity and curtail Iranian interference in the region. President Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan, in particular, have shown courage and leadership in working for reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians, and it is my hope that the talks will benefit from their support.”

President Obama held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egypt’s President Mubarak, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II yesterday in advance of the first formal round of direct talks between President Abbas and Prime Minister Netanyahu today.
Fortenberry is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. He is also a member of the House Democracy Partnership, a bipartisan 20-member commission established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2005 to provide assistance to newly emerging democracies throughout the world, including Lebanon and Afghanistan.