AJC Statement Marking Five Years of the Abraham Accords

Five years ago, on September 15, 2020, President Trump convened leaders from Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain to sign the Abraham Accords-a historic agreement rooted in mutual understanding, coexistence, and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East. By year's end, the Kingdom of Morocco had also joined the Accords.

Today, we mark this important anniversary as a call to action: to advance trust and understanding in the region, and to stand firm against those who would choose only division and radicalization.

This fifth anniversary comes at a pivotal moment. Israel is still reeling from the October 7, 2023, massacre and the ongoing captivity of 48 hostages by Hamas-events that have ensured continued conflict in Gaza and brought devastating consequences for Palestinian civilians

While peace may feel distant, the Abraham Accords remind us that with courageous leadership and bold vision, the Middle East can chart a new path forward.

For more than three decades, AJC has worked tirelessly to foster understanding and build relationships of trust between Jews and Muslims, and between Israel and its Arab neighbors, laying the groundwork for the Abraham Accords. These agreements opened historic opportunities for peace, security, cooperation, and prosperity, advancing Israel's diplomatic and economic integration in the region while strengthening the U.S.-Israel partnership.

Despite the enormous challenges facing Israel and the region today, AJC's Center for a New Middle East has continued AJC's longstanding engagement with the Arab world, alongside our historic advocacy for Israel's security and fair treatment in the community of nations, never losing sight of the dream of a better tomorrow - for the region and for the world.

Ahead of today's anniversary, AJC convened a series of events bringing together diplomats and other leaders from the United States, Israel, and the Arab world on Capitol Hill and in the Middle East to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the Accords, and to inspire people to seek a more peaceful tomorrow.

Just as the 2020 Accords did not materialize overnight, neither will their expansion. Even as we face unprecedented challenges in the region, there is reason for hope and a necessity for this work to continue. We must build on the foundation laid five years ago - for a new era of regional cooperation, greater stability, and the opportunity for a future defined by prosperity rather than perpetual conflict.

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .

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