WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, September 15, 2020, Israel formally normalized relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain in a deal brokered by the Trump Administration called the Abraham Accords. The UAE and Bahrain are now the third and fourth countries in the Middle East to open diplomatic relations with Israel and are the first to do so in 26 years. Egypt and Jordan, the other two countries who have diplomatic relations with Israel in the region, each signed peace deals in 1979 and 1994 respectively.
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) issued the following statement in response:
“Through the Trump Administration’s leadership, the number of Middle East countries who have diplomatic relations with Israel has doubled in a single day,” said Murphy. “This is a truly unprecedented accomplishment and a major step in quelling the centuries old animosity between Jews and Muslims in the region. In addition, these new relationships will help rein in Iran’s irresponsible aggression and promote economic opportunity. The Trump Administration's long list of foreign policy achievements continues to grow. These historic peacemaking accords are the reason that President Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.”