Kaine Statement On Diplomatic Deal Between Israel And United Arab Emirates

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a deal that will lead to normalization of diplomatic relations and suspend Israel’s annexation of Palestinian territory:

“I applaud the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE, two valued U.S. allies. I appreciate the work of the Trump Administration on this accord. And I am so relieved that, as part of this announcement, Israel has set aside its proposed annexation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank. Such a move would have made peace in the region less likely and that’s why so many colleagues and I publicly urged Israel to take no such step. Today’s announcement helps demonstrate why negotiation, rather than unilateral action, is the path to greater peace and stability.”

Earlier this year, Kaine, along with Senators Murphy and Van Hollen, led colleagues in a letter cautioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz against the unilateral annexation of West Bank territory.

###