WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.) today made the following joint statement recognizing the one-year anniversary of the signing of the historic Abraham Accords.

“Today marks the first anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords, a historic breakthrough in the Middle East.

“We congratulate the State of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Republic of Sudan, the participants in the Abraham Accords, who showed a willingness to break the cycle of the past and look forward to the future. We also appreciate the continuity of United States support for this diplomatic effort and efforts to expand new relationships between Israel and countries around the world.

“The countries that signed the Abraham Accords embraced a new path for the future of their nations as well as the Middle East and Muslim-majority countries more broadly, understanding the road to prosperity must include recognition and tolerance with the underpinning of meaningful engagement. The Abraham Accords represent the best chance for the Middle East to be an economic powerhouse with a bright future for the millions of young people who inhabit the region.

“We are resolved to protect the Abraham Accords and work with the Biden Administration to see them grow. 

“On this, the first anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords, it is now more important than ever to show resolve for peace and understanding and to reject terrorism.”

Last year, the senators introduced a bipartisan resolution congratulating the Governments and people of Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Kingdom of Bahrain on the signing of the Abraham Accords. The resolution: 

• Congratulates the Governments and people of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain on reaching these historic agreements.
• 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.

#####