Quigley delivers floor speech about Israeli peace process

On November 17th, 2010, Representative Quigley gave the following speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, urging the Palestinian leadership to match Israel's good-faith efforts to come to a peace agreement. A full transcript is below the video.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the Israeli Security Cabinet is preparing to take a critical vote on a proposal to temporarily halt construction in the West Bank.

Our Israeli friends have offered once again to stop construction in the West Bank in order to open a door to a peace deal. However, a peace agreement has no chance of coming to fruition if the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas refuse to come to the negotiating table. Only face-to-face negotiations between the two sides can lead to a peace deal. Unilateral action by the UN will not contribute to peace.

The administration must be strong in signaling any move by the UN toward independent action will be vetoed. We are at a vital crossroads. We can choose the path of peace, but only if parties do their part and play their role. President Abbas must come to the table and justify the good-faith efforts by the people of Israel to achieve a lasting peace. Thank you, and I yield back."