ICAN Commemorates the 4th Anniversary of the Abraham Accords
Today, ICAN is proud to join the international community in marking the 4th anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords, a landmark achievement in pursuing peace and cooperation in the Middle East. The Accords, led by the United States during the Trump Administration, were signed on September 15th, 2020, and established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. This historic step has paved the way for new opportunities in regional trade, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges.
The Abraham Accords represent a new era of peace, reshaping the landscape of the Middle East through enhanced economic and security ties. In 2023, trade between Israel and the Accords countries surpassed $4 billion, a 16% year-over-year increase. When including sectors like defense, technology, and natural resources, the true value of Abraham Accords trade is estimated to exceed $10 billion. One example of this growing collaboration is the UAE-Israel Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which went into effect in 2023 and has already eliminated tariffs on 96% of traded goods, further solidifying economic ties.
On the security front, cooperation has deepened significantly. Israel and Bahrain, for instance, signed a bilateral defense cooperation agreement in 2022, which includes intelligence sharing and joint military exercises. Israeli companies have also collaborated with the UAE to develop advanced defense technologies, including counter-drone systems and missile defense capabilities.
This security partnership is vital in countering threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its destabilizing proxies in the region.
The recent Gaza war following the Hamas attacks of October 2023, has tested the resilience of these new alliances. Despite the conflict, the signatory nations have stood firm, maintaining their commitment to the strategic choice made four years ago. Key Arab partners like the UAE and Bahrain have continued their diplomatic engagement, even as the region faces the conflict’s escalating humanitarian and security challenges. The enduring strength of these ties underscores the broader vision of peace that the accords represent, even in times of grave regional instability.
As we reflect on these achievements, it is important to note that diplomatic and economic progress has continued despite the challenges posed by recent events. The Accords have laid the groundwork for significant regional initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which aims to create a strategic trade route connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In light of recent events since October 7, new legislative efforts have emerged in the U.S. Congress to further strengthen and expand the Abraham Accords framework (see list of legislation at the end of this statement.)
ICAN remains dedicated to educating state and local officials about the strategic value of the Abraham Accords. We actively work to demonstrate how these agreements foster regional stability and promote economic growth.
In addition to our advocacy efforts, ICAN is in the process of developing an educational curriculum with its 501(c)(3) educational affiliate, the Israeli-American Civic Education Institute, that may align with mainstream unbiased ethnic studies, social studies, and history frameworks. This curriculum will emphasize the significance of the Abraham Accords in promoting cross-cultural understanding and regional peace, making it a valuable tool for American educators seeking to introduce students to contemporary Middle Eastern diplomacy, cooperation, and conflict resolution.
In addition to our educational initiatives, ICAN is committed to exploring state and local-level partnerships that involve member states of the Abraham Accords. These partnerships aim to create opportunities for economic, cultural, and educational exchanges that mirror the success of the accords on an international scale. By fostering direct relationships between U.S. state and local governments and their counterparts in Abraham Accords nations, ICAN seeks to build a network that enhances mutual understanding and international cooperation. These partnerships would involve joint projects in sectors like technology, energy, education, and tourism, further strengthening the ties between the U.S. and Abraham Accords member states.
ICAN is excited about a new forward-looking concept dedicated to implementing the spirit of the Abraham Accords not only at the diplomatic level but also on a person-to-person basis. Our upcoming initiative, the People’s Abraham Accords, seeks to bring the principles of peace and cooperation into local communities, fostering ground-level relationships and promoting cultural exchange. Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen ties beyond governments by encouraging everyday interactions and collaboration across borders.
As we commemorate this anniversary, we must also recognize the important work that lies ahead. We urge international leaders to support strengthening the Abraham Accords, bringing additional nations into this alliance to create a coalition that promotes prosperity, peace, and shared security across the Middle East. We hope to see additional nations, such as Saudi Arabia, join this growing coalition, further expanding the peace and prosperity made possible by the accords.
Abraham Accords Related Legislation: Federal and State
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United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act
June 13, 2024
This bill seeks to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 by modifying the Binational Agricultural Research and Development (BARD) Fund. The goal is to strengthen and expand agricultural cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. The bill highlights the success of the BARD Fund, which has supported over 1,300 projects since 1977 with a return of $16 for every $1 invested. It proposes expanding the scope of research to include nations that are signatories of the Abraham Accords and other interested countries. Additionally, it authorizes $8 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to support mid-stage cooperative agricultural research between the U.S. and Israel.
Sponsors: Senator John Hoeven, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Status: Introduced on June 13th, 2024, and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. It has not yet been reported out of committee, meaning it has not progressed to the full Senate for consideration. For S. 4551 to become law, it must be passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then be signed by the President. There have been no committee hearings scheduled or votes recorded on this bill.
Space Technology and Regional Security Act of 2024 (STARS Act of 2024)
June 5, 2024
This bill directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to develop an integrated space and satellite security capability in cooperation with Middle Eastern allies and partners. Building upon the opportunities created by the Abraham Accords and Israel’s inclusion in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, this strategy aims to safeguard against adversarial threats to the space systems of the U.S. and its allies. The bill mandates the development of a multilateral data-sharing agreement and a comprehensive strategy for collective space security, with specific attention to Israel’s integration into existing multilateral frameworks. It also calls for assessments of current threats, progress in intelligence coordination, and identification of capability gaps.
Sponsors: Senator Jacky Rosen, Senator Joni Ernst.
Status: Introduced in the US Senate on June 5th, 2024, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. It has not yet been reported out of committee.
United States-Abraham Accords Cooperation and Security Act of 2024
January 31, 2024
This bill establishes the Abraham Accords Bureau within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promote and facilitate cooperation between the FDA and entities in Abraham Accords countries. The bureau will assist with the development, regulation, and sale of medical, biomedical, and life sciences products from these countries in the U.S. market. It will also foster collaborations on manufacturing practices and provide technical assistance. The bureau aims to enhance U.S. healthcare supply chains by identifying key medical products and facilities in Abraham Accords countries that can support U.S. needs, such as essential pharmaceutical ingredients. Regular updates and reports to Congress will ensure transparency and ongoing assessment of these efforts.
Sponsors: Representative Diana Harshbarger, Representative Juan Vargas, Representative Randy Weber, Representative Scott Peters, Representative Andy Harris, Representative Mike Levin, Representative Rick Allen.
Status: Introduced in House on January 31, 2024
Regional Integration and Normalization Act of 2023
July 20, 2023
This bill seeks to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords and the Negev Forum by facilitating greater economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation among signatory countries. It outlines policies to institutionalize regional integration as a key pillar of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa, promotes collective security, and encourages deeper trade relationships. The bill also establishes the United States Special Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords and Negev Forum and Opportunity Fund to provide economic support for integration projects. Additionally, it authorizes the creation of educational exchange programs, supports joint cybersecurity initiatives, and promotes multilateral scientific collaboration.
Sponsors: Senator Robert Menendez, Senator James Risch, Senator Jacky Rosen, Senator Joni Ernst, Senator Cory Booker, Senator James Lankford.
Status: Introduced in the US Senate on July 20th, 2023, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. It has not yet been reported out of committee. In order to be enacted, S. 2413 needs to be passed by both chambers of Congress and signed by the President. As of the latest information, it has not been passed out of either chamber.
Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act
June 14, 2023
This bill establishes the position of a Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords within the Department of State. The Special Envoy will serve as the primary advisor to the Secretary of State, coordinating efforts across the U.S. government to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords. The duties of the Special Envoy include encouraging additional countries to establish formal diplomatic, economic, and security ties with Israel, as well as deepening existing relationships between Israel and Muslim-majority countries. The Special Envoy will also support Israel’s integration into regional security initiatives and foster cooperation on shared priorities, including trade, agriculture, and water security. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on the status of U.S. efforts related to the Accords.
Sponsors: Representative Ritchie Torres, Representative Ann Wagner.
Status: Passed by the House on June 13th, 2023. It has not yet been passed by the Senate. For the bill to be enacted, it needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by the President.
New Jersey Assembly Resolution No. 84
Filed 2024 Session
This resolution supports the Abraham Accords, recognizing the importance of peace and coexistence between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords, which were mediated by the United States, include agreements between Israel and several Arab League nations, such as the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. These agreements formalize diplomatic relations and foster cooperation in various sectors, including technology, health, and agriculture. The resolution urges current and future U.S. administrations to continue supporting peace efforts in the region.
Sponsors: Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, Assemblyman Benjie E. Wimberly, Co-Sponsor: Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson.
Status: Referred to Assembly committee on January 9, 2024