After Visit with Israeli President, Ernst Supports Bipartisan Bill to Bolster the Abraham Accords

WASHINGTON – A day after U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, met with Israeli President Herzog, she is introducing the Regional Integration and Normalization Act, a landmark bill that bolsters efforts to normalize relations between Israel and its neighbors in the Arab and Islamic world.

“There is no question that the peace which the United States brokered between Israel and its neighbors has revolutionized the Middle East,” said Israeli President Herzog in his joint address to Congress, noting that future prospects for normalization and integration “would be a huge sea change in the course of history, in the Middle East, and the world at large.”

For those reasons, Ernst and her colleagues have introduced this legislation to substantively build upon the historic Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and related regional integration and multilateral organizations. It provides the Administration with new resources to deepen and expand ties between Abraham Accords members, Negev Forum members, and other key regional actors. Additionally – in a sign of high-level, bipartisan congressional support – the legislation also designates a Special Presidential Envoy empowered to coordinate a whole-of-government approach to normalization and regional integration.

“As co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, I’m committed to building upon this historic model and strengthening regional cooperation to bring peace in the Middle East. Through this bipartisan effort, we can promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue, develop innovative projects across the Accords members, strengthen security cooperation with our partners, and increase economic prosperity,” said Senator Ernst.

Background:

As co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, yesterday, Ernst had the opportunity to meet directly with President Herzog following his address.

To bring peace and prosperity to Israel and the Middle East, Ernst is co-leading the bipartisan, bicameral Maritime Architecture and Response to International Terrorism in the Middle East (MARITIME) Act, which requires the Department of Defense to develop a strategy with partners and allies in the Middle East to counter maritime threats posed by Iran, violent extremist organizations, and criminal networks. 

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