Leaders across the US political spectrum have provided strong support for the recent UAE-Israel normalization agreement known as the Abraham Accords. Signed on September 15, 2020, the accords usher in a new era of normalized relations between the UAE and Israel. They also provide for an exchange of diplomatic missions and creates opportunities for collaboration in travel, trade, healthcare, education, and other areas of economic and cultural interest.
President Donald Trump called the deal a “truly historic moment” and indicated that the agreement signified the greatest progress toward peace in the Middle East in the last quarter century. He also emphasized the importance of bringing together the UAE and Israel as two of the US’s closest partners in the region.
Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden praised the newly formed partnership between the UAE and Israel, and he stated his aspiration for working toward a Middle East peace solution that will help stabilize the region.
In addition, more than 150 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have expressed support, including prominent leaders from both the Senate and the House of Representatives. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the establishment of full diplomatic relations between UAE and Israel “an important step that could benefit both nations, the region and the world,” while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell highlighted the “benefit from the peace and prosperity that tearing down barriers can bring.”
On Twitter, a number of current and former officials provided statements, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State John Kerry, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro. All expressed their support for the deal and congratulated Israel and the UAE, as well as those involved in helping to facilitate the agreement, including Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba.
In his op-ed about the accords, Ambassador Al Otaiba welcomed new bilateral relations with Israel. “It is an important win for diplomacy and for people of the region,” the Ambassador wrote, going on to say that “closer UAE-Israel ties will accelerate growth and innovation, expand opportunities for young people, and break down long-held prejudices.”
Learn more about broad bipartisan support for the UAE-Israel agreement: