Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement on the resumption of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians:

“This is a major breakthrough, and I commend Secretary Kerry for his tireless efforts and his relentless commitment to diplomacy.

“No foreign policy challenge is more critical to our collective security than securing a lasting peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. The prospects for peace have remained elusive for generations, but the urgency is real. Each day we delay, the mistrust becomes more entrenched and a resolution becomes more difficult.

“A new era of change is sweeping the Middle East, and I encourage Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas to work together toward a negotiated settlement that finally establishes a Palestinian state and ensures the long-term security of Israel.”

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