White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel addressed the annual conference of the Jewish Federation. He said the Middle East peace process would fail without significant dialogue and called for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians to begin as soon as possible and without preconditions. He also said negotiations must address permanent-status issues including borders, refugees and Jerusalem. He also reiterated the U.S. position that Israel must halt construction in West Bank settlements.
Mr. Emanuel spoke in place of President Obama, who canceled his appearance to attend the Fort Hood shooting victims' memorial service.