Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) recently announced he is partnering with U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), a Republican, to introduce bipartisan legislation establishing a new special envoy position within the U.S. Department of State dedicated to advancing the Abraham Accords, the landmark 2020 U.S.-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and Arab countries in the Middle East.

 

“The Abraham Accords have given birth to a new Middle East, which is unfolding in real time,” said Torres. “However, these breakthrough diplomatic agreements cannot be allowed to wither away due to bureaucratic neglect or negligence. Regardless of the administration, too often we see progress muddled by bureaucracy in which many people have power but there is no actual responsibility. There must be a
clear delineation of power coming from within the federal government such as an ambassador-level special envoy position because the Abraham Accords are so monumental.”

Meanwhile, Lawler said, “The diplomatic impact of the Abraham Accords has been incredible to watch, as relations between Israel and Arab nations in the Middle East have improved dramatically from where they once were. He added, “There is still room for improvement, though, and I truly believe that establishing a new special envoy position in the Department of State that is focused on advancing the Abraham Accords will lead to a safer and more prosperous future for Israel and all nations in the Middle East. I am hopeful that the Biden administration, House Republicans, and Senate Democrats will all work together to make this critical and necessary envoy a reality.”

 

According to Torres, under the “Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act”, the special envoy would work in coordination with regional ambassadors, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen and expand the Abraham Accords and the individual, who would be appointed by the president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and report directly to the U.S. Secretary of State, would be required to have high-level diplomatic experience and be knowledgeable about Islamic and Jewish worlds, economies, securities, and human rights.

 

He said the legislation, which has been endorsed by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), would also allow a special envoy to come from within the State Department. “American Jewish Committee, which has worked for three decades to encourage greater cooperation across the Middle East and North Africa, has been proud to support the Abraham Accords,” said Jason Isaacson, chief policy and political affairs officer of the AJC.

 

He continued, “These normalization agreements, combined with the creation of regional bodies and incremental openings from other Arab League states, are already yielding tangible benefits and promise to lead to new opportunities and a widening of the circle of peace. We appreciate the dedication of the many U.S. government officials who have made these diplomatic breakthroughs possible and their continued efforts to strengthen and expand these agreements, and we applaud Reps. Torres and Lawler for spearheading an initiative to ensure these officials have the necessary tools to continue their important work.”