Young resolution commending Israel-UAE agreement

President Donald Trump announced on Aug. 13 that Israel and the UAE would agree to “full normalization of relations,” the first such agreement between Israel and a major Arab country since 1994. The countries have committed to the exchange of embassies and ambassadors, and to begin cooperation in a broad range of areas including education, healthcare, trade, and security.

Sen. Young will introduce the resolution along with U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Ben Cardin (D-MD), according to a release from Sen. Young’s office. The text of the resolution states

that “this bilateral breakthrough could set a precedent for further diplomatic openings throughout the region” and “builds upon the decades-long leadership of the United States in helping Israel broker peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan and promoting peace talks between Israel and Syria, Lebanon, and the Palestinians.”

The Senate resolution congratulates the Israeli and UAE governments, as well as its people, for reaching such an agreement and encourages other Arab nations to establish full relations with Israel. The resolution also reaffirms strong bipartisan support in Congress for a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a democratic Jewish State of Israel and a democratic Palestinian state living peacefully side-byside.