In a historic bipartisan delegation visit of the US-Senat Caucasus on Abraham Accords to the ‘Abraham Accords States’ a positive balance can be drawn. Although the Left, especially in Europe, does not embrace the ‘Abraham Accords’ – because brokered by Trump and Netanyahu without asking the EU for permission and leaving aside the EU-rhetoric of the “two-state-soution” – it is evident, that the Accords are not only a major, innovative and very successful frame for normalization of the relationship between Israel and the Arab states, but also the only stronghold for the USA to keep its foot in the Middle East.
Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-founders and co-chairs of the Senate Abraham Accords Caucus, led a bipartisan group of seven Senators in a visit to the Abraham Accords member countries of Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Morocco. Lankford and Rosen were joined by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Ted Budd (R-NC).
Lankford said: “Over the past week, I have spent face-to-face time with the key leaders from Morocco, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Israel to talk through problems and opportunities for the future of the Abraham Accords. Concerns with Iran and its proxies came up with every nation as well as the need to bolster defense cooperation, negotiate new trade agreements, and pursue religious freedom. When we find common ground and economic opportunities for all people, even unlikely allies can find a way to come together. We have much work to do in the days ahead, but working toward peace in the Middle East is important for America’s national security and economic growth.”
And Rosen add: “The Abraham Accords have fundamentally transformed the Middle East and are paving the way for unprecedented partnerships between Israel and Arab partners. During this visit, my colleagues and I witnessed firsthand how the Accords are enabling cooperation in areas such as energy and water security, trade, health, technology, tourism, and people-to-people relationships, as well as regional security integration to defend against Iranian aggression. I want to thank my colleagues for joining me on this historic, bipartisan trip.”
In a press release they documented the impressive efforts and results.
- MOROCCO: Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita to discuss how the Abraham Accords can directly improve the lives of the people of Morocco.
- BAHRAIN: King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to discuss deepening regional collaboration, including maritime cooperation, to deter Iranian aggression. The delegation also met with American troops at the United States Naval Forces Central Command headquarters.
- UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the region and to the UAE’s security, and to thank the UAE for its leadership on the Abraham Accords. The delegation also visited Al Dhafra Air Base to receive a briefing from United States Air Forces Central on how the Abraham Accords are contributing to regional security. The delegation also visited the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, a complex housing three distinct religious spaces: a mosque, a synagogue, and a church.
- ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Gallant, and Speaker of the Knesset Ohana to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and the Abraham Accords. The delegation also met with President Herzog to discuss ideas for new regional partnerships and with Opposition Leader Lapid about the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and the importance of preserving the Abraham Accords. In addition, the delegation met in Ramallah with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh to discuss tangible measures that benefit the lives of both Palestinians and Israelis, while also pushing back on Palestinian policies that are undermining prospects for peace.
Iran was in all talks the main issues, as Sullivan summarized: “The ongoing and severe challenge posed by Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, and its proxies, was a central theme raised by every single leader we met with in every country. The United States and our partners in the region must take collective actions to deter the violent, malignant activities of Iran, including working towards a system of integrated air and missile defense. The Iran challenge can also be turned into an opportunity to expand the Abraham Accords to other countries – this was another common theme we heard from leaders in the region.”
Somehow overambitious and incoherent seems the proposals of US Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who is a member of the Abraham Accords Caucus. To expand the Abraham Accords is a great idea, even to incorporate Egypt or Jordan, but F-35 to Saudi Arabia and any Arab country that joins the Abraham Accords seems not to be really thought through.
In a recent interview with TOI, she said: “Gillibrand said that the US should urge Abraham Accords countries to invest in humanitarian projects for the Palestinians “in exchange for F-35s and other technology that they are desperate for that helps them create a regional missile defense [system] against Iran.” It seems to be that US-Dems are looking for a new strategy to bring in a “Palestinian State” and to finance terror against Israel by carving out a new back door within the frame of the Abraham Accords: You will get F-35 if you give money to the terror organization PA disguised as “humanitarian help”. Well, won’t work.
Be it as it may, one can only concede to the words of Lankford about the historic dimension of the Abraham Accords: “The Abraham Accords have been the most significant development for Middle East peace in decades.” and concludes: “Decades from now, it’s our hope that our children and grandchildren will learn about the historic work to establish lasting peace in the Middle East through the Abraham Accords.“