Washington, DC – Congressman Howard L. Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today commended Israel and the PLO on proceeding with proximity talks.

"I applaud the decisions of the Government of Israel and the PLO to begin proximity talks. I hope that the proximity talks quickly become direct talks where both governments can work to bridge their divisions via honest and open negotiation. Clearly, achieving peace is not a simple task, but it will be impossible to achieve without the parties sitting at the same table working together for a common goal: peace and security for both Israel and Palestine, for this and future generations.”