Rep. Smith: Signing of peace accords an historic milestone for Middle East

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Congressman Smith at the White House marking the signing of the peace accords

Washington, DC – Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, attended today’s historic signing of the Abraham Peace Accords at the White House with President and Melania Trump, Vice President Pence, Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

“It was an honor to witness the signing of the Abraham Accords, a truly historic milestone in Middle East peace,” Smith said. “Brokered by the United States, the Abraham Accords establishes formal ties between Israel and two Arab states––United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The momentous pact is a credit to President Trump, his leadership team—including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo—and the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to bring lasting peace to the region.

“It is important to note, after decades of conflict, this is the first such agreement between Israel and any major Arab country since 1994,” Smith said. “I am hopeful that this is the beginning of several future peace accords to strengthen peace within the region. The United States has again brought strength to Israel––one of our strongest allies in the region––and strength brings peace.”

“After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East. Thanks to the great courage of the leaders of these three countries, we take a major stride toward a future in which people of all faiths and backgrounds live together in peace and prosperity,” President Trump said. “These agreements prove that the nations of the region are breaking free from the failed approaches of the past,” said Trump. “Today’s signing sets history on a new course.”