WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 13: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with leaders of Israel and UAE announcing a peace agreement to establish diplomatic ties with Israel and the UAE, in the Oval Office of the White House on August 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. In a joint statement between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed said the countries "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates." (Photo by Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images)
The U.S.-brokered deal establishes full diplomatic relations — making UAE the third Arab country to do so with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.
The deal required Israel to stop its plan to annex land in the West Bank.
Sen. Mike Lee said this demonstrates to the world that a path toward peace is possible.
“I commend the hard work and dedication of President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and the staff who worked tirelessly to facilitate this agreement,” Lee wrote on Facebook and Twitter. “This moment is worthy of celebration and sends a strong message to rogue actors who wish to spread and inflict terror that the geopolitical compass of the region is moving toward long-term stability and security.”
Sen. Mitt Romney wrote that bringing together partners in the Middle East is in the U.S. national security interests, and “critical to counter the region’s bad actors.”
“The normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel is an important and welcome accomplishment facilitated by the Administration,” wrote Romney on Twitter and Facebook.
Rep. Chris Stewart tweeted, “the enormity of this agreement can’t be overstated.” He thanked President Trump, and the leaders of Israel and the UAE “for your vision of peace and leadership in the region.”
Rep. John Curtis also commended the leaders of the three nations for their work. He said he keeps a newspaper clipping in his office that he picked up in Jerusalem in 1979 that announced the agreement between Israel and Egypt.
“It reminds me that cooperation once considered unimaginable can happen if we put aside our differences and work together,” he posted on Instagram and Facebook.