Ahead of Middle East Trip, Ernst Urges Biden to Bolster Region’s Burgeoning Diplomacy, Denounce Iraq’s New Anti-Israel Law
Ernst calls for Biden to condemn Iraq’s new law as an obstacle to peace and normalization efforts between Israel and Arab nations, which have spurred from the Abraham Accords.
WASHINGTON – Ahead of President Biden’s upcoming trip to the Middle East, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with the other leaders of the bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus from both the House and the Senate, are urging the president to bolster the peace and normalization efforts between Israel and Arab nations in the region spurred by the Abraham Accords and to condemn a recently enacted Iraqi law that broadens the crime of normalizing its relations with Israel.
In a letter to President Biden, Ernst and the lawmakers call for the president to condemn Iraq’s new anti-Israel law, the so-called “Criminalizing Normalization and Establishment of Relations with the Zionist Entity Law.”
The lawmakers praised the impact that the Abraham Accords have had on improving diplomacy in the region, stating in their letter: “In less than two years, the Abraham Accords have already transformed the region: enhancing Israel’s security and acceptance, creating economic opportunities for Arab states, advancing American leadership in the Middle East, deepening security cooperation between the United States and CENTCOM partners, and promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue. […] The Middle East, a region for too long defined by animosity and conflict, has seen great cooperation among the Abraham Accords countries, and we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure these partnerships continue to prosper and to help expand normalization with Israel to other countries.”
They go on: “As you embark on travel to the Middle East later this month, we respectfully encourage you to raise Iraq’s anti-normalization law during your visits with foreign leaders and make clear the United States’ resolute condemnation.”
Just weeks ago, Ernst led a bipartisan, bicameral effort—called the DEFEND Act—to unite America’s partners in the Middle East against Iranian aggression. The bill pushes to develop a strategic approach among countries included in the Abraham Accords against Iran’s aggression in the region.
Ernst was joined on the letter by the leaders of the bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus from both the House and the Senate, including Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), and others.
Click HERE to read their full letter to the president.
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