On the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, President Isaac Herzog met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem. Both leaders hailed the accords as a cornerstone of peace and vowed to expand them while stressing the urgency of freeing Israeli hostages and securing regional stability.
Herzog: “The Accords Changed the Middle East”
President Herzog welcomed Rubio with warm words:
“Today is exactly five years since the signing of the Abraham Accords on the White House lawn — one of the most important historic moments in Middle East history. Brokered under the auspices of President Donald Trump, these agreements brought peace between Israel, Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE. Despite all the storms, they endure. We bless these agreements every day, and now we must upgrade, enhance, and bring in more partners.”
Herzog also thanked the U.S. for its consistent role:
“We are most grateful to the United States of America for being there always — in times of war and in times of peace.”
Rubio: “The Abraham Accords Must Be Expanded”
Rubio stressed the significance of the accords for both Israel and the U.S.:
“Imagine how much more difficult the region would be today without the Abraham Accords. We are grateful to Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE as strong partners of both Israel and the United States.”
Looking forward, he tied the accords to Trump’s current term:
“The great promise of this era is to build upon the foundation of the Abraham Accords under President Trump’s leadership and expand them to new countries eager to join. That is our focus moving forward.”
Key Takeaways
- Hostages: Herzog reminded that freeing all hostages remains urgent.
- Peace & Stability: Both leaders underscored the Accords as a stabilizing force amid the Gaza war and Iran’s aggression.
- Future Expansion: Rubio indicated additional Arab states are considering joining, and Trump’s administration is prioritizing this expansion.
