Reps. Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler Urge President Joe Biden to Nominate Abraham Accords Special Envoy
Reps. Torres and Lawler Led Legislation Last Year to Create the New Executive Branch Post
Today, Congressmen Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) led 33 members of Congress in a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to nominate a Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements. Rep. Torres and Lawler worked throughout 2023 to advance legislation creating this position, which passed into law in December through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 (NDAA).
An excerpt from the letter reads:
“As our ally Israel continues to fight to bring their hostages home, it is increasingly important to ensure U.S. partners in the Middle East support Israel and normalize relations. That is why the Abraham Accords, first signed in 2020, were so consequential and continue to provide a roadmap for Middle East peace today. In support of this goal, we write today to urge you to nominate a Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements.
“Unfortunately, since this position was created in December, it is our understanding that no progress has been made to nominate an Envoy. In fact, at a House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee hearing on June 23, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf stated that there is not even a short list.
“It is incumbent that you nominate an Envoy as soon as possible in accordance with the FY24 NDAA. The Envoy will reinforce to our ally Israel, and the international community that the U.S. remains committed to normalization efforts. Moreover, it further demonstrates our goal of establishing a long-lasting peace between Israel and Muslim-majority countries both in the Middle East and around the world.”
On the letter, Rep. Torres said the following:
“We find ourselves at a perilous and consequential moment in the Middle East. Israel is fighting to bring the hostages home, eliminate Hamas from power, and defend the North from relentless Hezbollah rocket fire. Time is of the essence in the battle for Israel and the region’s future, and now more than ever, the administration must nominate an Envoy for the Abraham Accords. In a post-October 7 world, strengthening the Abraham Accords is of heightened importance as we seek to increase Israel’s strategic allies in the region and counteract Iran and its army of proxies in their never-ending battle to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. With the oversight of the Envoy, the administration will be empowered to continue in its work of building towards to a lasting peace in the region.”
The list of members signed on the letter is as follows: Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Juan Ciscomani, Ben Cline, Anthony D’Esposito, Pat Fallon, Brian Fitzpatrick, Andrew Garbarino, Carlos Gimenez, Jenniffer González-Colón, Josh Gottheimer, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Kean, David Kustoff, Nick LaLota, Nicholas Langworthy, Michael Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis, Marcus Molinaro, Jared Moskowitz, Andrew Ogles, John Rutherford, Maria Salazar, Bradley Schneider, Adrian Smith, Elise Stefanik, Haley Stevens, Claudia Tenney, Ritchie Torres, Ann Wagner, Michael Waltz, Randy Weber, Brandon Williams, and Joe Wilson.