WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), James Lankford (R-OK), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced the launch of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, which will build on the success of the historic Abraham Accords. For decades, Congress has played a key role in promoting Israel’s acceptance among Arab states and advancing prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The bipartisan Caucus will provide an opportunity to strengthen the Abraham Accords by encouraging and deepening partnerships among the existing Abraham Accords countries and expanding the agreements to include countries that do not currently have diplomatic relations with Israel.
“In just one year, the Abraham Accords have already transformed the Middle East by contributing to regional peace and stability, promoting US interests, and enhancing Israel’s security,” said Senator Rosen. “The Abraham Accords Caucus will build on that success by providing bipartisan leadership to strengthen existing partnerships and widen the circle of peace to new countries. I have long supported America’s leadership role in fostering peace between Israel and its neighbors, and I look forward to furthering that work through this bipartisan Caucus.”
“It was a great day for peace when I joined President Trump at the White House and leaders from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates more than a year ago as they signed the historic Abraham Accords,” said Senator Lankford. “When Morocco and Sudan joined the Accords a few weeks later, the concept of the Abraham Accords demonstrated that reconciliation among even more nations in the region was possible. I stand with Israel and for lasting peace in the Middle East, alongside my colleagues, as we launch the Abraham Accords Caucus. We will seek peace through expanding and encouraging the Accords and set the example for other nations who desire peace. Matthew Chapter 5, verse 9 importantly reminds us that ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ ”
“I am proud to join as a co-chair of this caucus, and build upon the work of the historic Abraham Accords, which have normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, promoted greater economic opportunities in the Middle East, and advanced the prospect of peace in the region,” said Senator Booker. “The United States must continue to play an active role in fostering further dialogue and partnership between Israel and other Arab countries, and I look forward to doing just that as part of this bipartisan group.”
“Finalizing the Abraham Accords was a historic step toward peace in the Middle East and welcome news, not only for our partners and allies in the region, but for the United States,” said Senator Ernst. “We must continue these efforts to further our nation’s partnership with Israel and promote peace and prosperity, and I look forward to working with my Democratic and Republican colleagues in the Abraham Accords Caucus to do so.”
The Caucus is supported by the Atlantic Council, the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah – The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, the US-Israel Education Association, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Israel Policy Forum, CUFI Action, the Jewish Federations of North America, B’nai B’rith International, and the American Jewish Congress.
The mission statement of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus is available here.
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