WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), today said they will introduce a Senate resolution praising the historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Senate resolution:

• Congratulates the Governments and people of Israel and the United Arab Emirates on reaching this historic agreement.

• Encourages other Arab nations to establish full relations with Israel with the vision of realizing full peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors.

• Reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states—a democratic Jewish State of Israel and a viable, democratic Palestinian state—living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition.

TEXT OF THE GRAHAM-MENENDEZ-YOUNG-CARDIN RESOLUTION

Whereas President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates, announced on August 13, 2020, an agreement on the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates;

Whereas the United Arab Emirates is the first Gulf Arab state to announce formal relations with Israel;

Whereas, under the agreement, the two countries agree to the establishment of reciprocal embassies and the exchange of Ambassadors;

Whereas opening direct ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates could begin to transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations;

Whereas the agreement could promote investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, and the environment;

Whereas the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates share a commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination;

Whereas Israel and the United Arab Emirates will partner with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation;

Whereas the historic agreement could help advance peace between Israel and other Arab nations;

Whereas this bilateral breakthrough could set a precedent for further diplomatic openings throughout the region;

Whereas support for peace between Israel and her neighbors has longstanding bipartisan support in Congress and among the American people;

Whereas the agreement builds upon the decades-long leadership of the United States in helping Israel broker peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan and promoting peace talks between Israel and Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians; and

Whereas the parties pledged to continue their efforts to achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) congratulates the Governments and people of Israel and the United Arab Emirates on reaching this historic agreement;

(2) encourages other Arab nations to establish full relations with Israel with the vision of realizing full peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors; and

(3) reaffirms its strong support for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resulting in two states—a democratic Jewish State of Israel and a viable, democratic Palestinian state—living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition.