New Jersey-2024-AR84-Introduced

An Assembly Resolution supporting the Abraham Accords and recognizing the importance of peace and coexistence in the Middle East.

Whereas, On September 15, 2020, the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain signed historic peace agreements, the Abraham Accords, both of which were signed in Washington, D.C. and mediated by the United States; and

Whereas, Subsequent agreements between Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco, and Israel and the Republic of the Sudan, also mediated by the United States, were signed in the following months and included in the accords; and

Whereas, The peace agreements mirrored the historic agreements signed between Israel and the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1979, and Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1994, both of which were also mediated by the United States; and

Whereas, The peace agreements between Israel and Egypt and Jordan have been widely successful, leading to the development of important strategic partnerships and collaboration agreements; and

Whereas, To promote peace and unity, the accords are named after the patriarch Abraham, regarded as a prophet by the religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and traditionally considered a shared patriarch of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples; and

Whereas, The agreement between Israel and Bahrain normalized diplomatic relations between the two countries, including an exchange in ambassadors and cooperation in technology, health, agriculture, and other areas; and

Whereas, Following the success of these agreements, Israel secured agreements with Sudan and Morocco to normalize relations and begin economic and trade cooperation; and

Whereas, The Abraham Accords are a monumental achievement, recognizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey and its citizens commend the Abraham Accords given the significant Jewish, Muslim, and Christian populations in the State and the numerous economic ties that the State has with the nations signed on to the accords; and

Whereas, Stability and peace among nations and peoples in the Middle East are the result of multilateral relationships and it is necessary to reach out to other nations in the region to work together to establish stronger ties; and

Whereas, Therefore, it is appropriate and necessary to show support for the historic Abraham Accords, commend the UAE for pioneering this newest accord, and recognize the importance of peace, mutual understanding, and coexistence in the Middle East; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House supports the Abraham Accords, signed by the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Morocco, and the Republic of the Sudan, and mediated by the United States, recognizes the importance of peace, mutual understanding, and coexistence in the Middle East, and respectfully urges current and future United States federal administrations to support a continued peace dialogue.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, and each member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution supports the Abraham Accords and recognizes the importance of peace and coexistence between Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples in the Middle East.

The Abraham Accords include agreements with the State of Israel and several Arab League nations, mediated by the United States. The Abraham Accords are named after the patriarch Abraham, regarded as a prophet by both the religions of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, and traditionally considered a shared patriarch of the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian peoples. Prior to the accords, only two Arab League nations, the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1979 and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1994, had formally normalized relations with Israel.

Since September 2020, four new nations, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Republic of the Sudan, have all signed respective peace agreements with Israel. The agreements formally normalize foreign relations, permit an exchange in ambassadors, and permit cooperation in technology, health, agriculture, and other areas. The accords are a monumental achievement, recognizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening peace in the Middle East and around the world based on mutual understanding and coexistence, as well as respect for human dignity and freedom, including religious freedom.