WASHINGTON – Tuesday, Sept. 15, leaders of Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement, normalizing relations between the three countries. U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke on the Senate floor later that day, commending President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others in the administration for facilitating the historic action intended to normalize relations between all three.
The agreement requires Israel to halt plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including the Jordan Valley. Last month, in anticipation of the agreement, the UAE allowed telephone access with Israel for the first time, unblocking the direct dial country code. Direct commercial flights between Israel and the UAE also began on Aug. 31 2020. The seven page agreement including signatures of all three leaders,can be viewed online at whitehouse.gov.
A release from Moran’s Washington, D.C. office shared his remarks.
“These historic agreements begin the process of normalizing relations between the two Gulf countries and the Jewish state,” said Sen. Moran. “After seven decades of isolation in the region, the Abraham Accords signify Israel’s existence is finally being accepted by Arab countries, opening new prospects for greater economic, security, and cultural cooperation that will benefit all those in the region and all of us around the world. I commend President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and many others in this administration for facilitating this historic agreement and advancing the cause of peace and prosperity in the region.”
Moran spoke positively of the efforts of the Trump administration in cultivating relationships among leaders of all three countries, as well as cooperation among the countries “behind closed doors” over the past decade. He credited the president and his administration with capitalizing on a changing Middle East and helping to “shepherd these relationships into the open.” He expressed hope that the remaining 18 Arab countries will follow this example and publicly recognize Israel, allowing future relationships to grow and benefit the entire region and bring more peace and stability there and to the rest of the world.
“Israel’s right to exist is unquestionable, and to refuse to recognize that is to deny reality,” he said. “I, along with so many other members of this chamber, have worked to ensure Israel’s security and prosperity. With more days like today, we can hope for a region that is secure and prosperous, as well for all.
View a video of Moran’s speech here.
