[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 158 (Monday, September 14, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5563-S5564]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 ISRAEL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, when I address the situation in the 
Middle East, it is often to discuss instability, terror, or other 
threats to the United States and its partners, like Israel. Those 
threats still exist, but I am very glad to be speaking today about 
peace breaking out, and it is breaking out more quickly than we can 
even stage the official ceremonies to memorialize the diplomatic 
achievements.
  A few weeks ago, with major help from the United States and the Trump 
administration, Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached the first 
Arab-Israel peace deal in 26 years. The Abraham Accord is named for the 
shared religious roots that Christians, Jews, and Muslims all hold in 
common. It will make the UAE just the third Arab nation, and the very 
first in the gulf, to normalize relations with Israel. In the words of 
Prime Minister Netanyahu, ``full and official peace, full diplomatic 
agreement, with embassies, investment, commerce, tourism, and direct 
flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai and Abu Dhabi.''
  We have come a long way--a long way indeed. What a moment.
  Farsighted leaders in both countries made sacrifices to make this 
deal possible. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayid 
understand that both Arabs and Israelis will benefit from the peace and 
prosperity that tearing down barriers can bring. America will also 
benefit from these two regional friends working more closely together 
and reducing tensions across the challenging region.
  Now, to be sure, work is not finished, and no single step like this 
should be confused for an overnight miracle. In this case, we in 
Congress have an obligation to review any U.S. arms sales package 
linked to the deal. As we help our Arab partners defend against growing 
threats, we must continue ensuring that Israel's qualitative military 
edge

[[Page S5564]]

remains unchallenged. But the winds of change are blowing, and they are 
bringing good news for peace all across the region.
  Of course, a few extreme voices, perhaps correctly sensing that their 
moment is slipping away, are not at all happy. A predictable cast of 
characters wasted no time condemning the agreement and branding the UAE 
as traitors to the Arab or Muslim world.
  Unlike Iranian clerics or al-Qaida terrorists, everyone who is 
actually living in the 21st century is celebrating this major progress. 
This major step forward is being documented in a signing ceremony at 
the White House tomorrow. But in just the couple of weeks that have 
elapsed between the announcement of the Abraham Accord and the official 
ceremony tomorrow, another Arab state has joined the parade toward 
peace. On Friday, September 11, Israel and Bahrain announced their 
agreement to open formal diplomatic relations. After Egypt, Jordan, and 
the UAE, this makes the fourth historic step toward normalization by 
Israel's Arab neighbors.
  Along with President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu and King Hamad 
of Bahrain called the agreement ``a historic breakthrough to further 
peace in the Middle East.'' Indeed, reports suggest that still more 
Arab states may not be far behind. This is a new course with the 
potential to fundamentally--fundamentally--change the Middle East.
  Dennis Ross, former senior diplomatic adviser to President Obama and 
a longtime practitioner of the peace process, wrote just yesterday that 
these agreements are bona fide ``breakthroughs'' that are changing 
``the political landscape of the Middle East'' and the Israel-Palestine 
stalemate for the better. That is Dennis Ross, from the Obama 
administration. That is how former Obama administration officials are 
praising the Trump administration's successes.
  I am grateful for this administration's work to encourage peace. I am 
proud of this historic opportunity that American leadership and 
diplomacy has made possible.

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