The signing of the Abraham Accords today at the White House represents an historic breakthrough for peace in the Middle East.
I’m not saying this accord alone will bring peace to that troubled region. But, this is the first tangible progress in a quarter century.
I met Anwar Sadat at the time of the Camp David Accords in 1978 and witnessed the handshake between Rabin and Arafat in 1993. Both events seemed to herald a new peace in the Middle East that never materialized.
Israel has been a country for over 72 years. The only democracy in the region, it’s a major economic, military and political power and our greatest ally in the Middle East.
It’s overdue for other states in the area to recognize Israel and pursue normal relations.
The outdated notion that recognition of Israel’s existence should be withheld until Israelis and Palestinians agree on the details of a two state solution has not worked.
It hasn’t made an agreement more likely but it has prevented diplomatic interactions that can be a stabilizing force in an unstable region.
In a polarized time, today’s historic accord is good news that everyone can celebrate.
