Esteemed colleagues, dear friends, I want to thank you all for joining us to celebrate the oneyear
anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords.


The United Nations Charter calls on countries “to practice tolerance and live together in peace
with one another as good neighbours”. That is exactly what Israel, the United Arab Emirates,
Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan chose to do. The Abraham Accords are the best representation of
practicing tolerance and living in peace with our neighbors, and that it is why it is essential,
essential that the UN, and we as ambassadors, celebrate this incredible, incredible achievement.
A year ago, a region yearning for change, a region tired of war and conflict and with endless
untapped potential, was presented with an opportunity to change the course of its history. A
monumental, historic chance to mark a new chapter in our shared story, to change the way Jews
and Arabs perceive each other, to promote mutually beneficial economic activity, and to face
the larger challenges in the Middle East as a united front.


Today we celebrate the landmark agreements and the critical role the United States played, and
continues to play in making them a success, for which we thank them very much. Thank you.
The fact that the Accords have received such strong bipartisan support is a testament to their
great importance.
After presenting a vision of coexistence, peace and prosperity, our nations quickly began
turning words into actions.


Our governments have inaugurated diplomatic offices in each other's countries and they have
signed dozens of MOUs promoting collaboration on culture, on trade, climate, innovation and
many, many more. These steps are vital to laying the groundwork for long term, meaningful
relationships.


However, governments can sign a million MOUs, and it won’t make a real difference if the
people do not translate them into a new reality on the ground; if they are not transformed into
a warm, people-to-people peace.


Today, as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Accords, it is clear that deep and
unbreakable friendships have been established at an unprecedented pace.
Our peoples are learning each other’s languages and realizing how much the sons of Abraham
truly have in common, as they share a kosher meal in Manama, Marrakech or Dubai. Our
universities are establishing exchange programs so that the next generation of Israelis,
Moroccans, Bahrainis and Emiratis can study alongside one another and tackle the world’s
most pressing challenges, together.

Every day, we hear of a new shared business venture. Sometimes it is Israelis growing avocados
in Morocco, and other times it is Emiratis purchasing a substantial stake in one of Israel’s most
important gas fields, Tamar. The examples are endless, as are the opportunities.
In a couple of days, Maya will turn one month old (she is not my daughter). Maya is the first
Israeli child born in the UAE. She will never know a world where Israelis were not accepted
in the region. She, and the next generation in the Middle East, both Jews and Arabs, will grow
up in a fundamentally new region, an atmosphere in which peace and friendship between Israel
and its neighbors will feel inevitable; in which tolerance and coexistence are not just ideas, but
the reality they experience every day.


I strongly believe that as others in the region see the fruits of our partnerships and feel this
transformation, they will join our circle of peace. Perhaps even the Palestinians, as they see the
benefits of our peace and the prosperity it brings, will finally view these Accords as an
opportunity and not a threat.


Friends,
The one-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords falls in the 10-day period between Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when Jews around the world reflect on the past year and pray for
the future.


As we usher in the New Year, I can confidently say that both our governments and our peoples
have built the foundation for a new era in the Middle East.


In this coming year, I hope to see us continuing to build new partnerships and working together
to promote pragmatism and coexistence over extremism and intolerance.
The moderate countries in the Middle East must unite to tackle our shared challenges, such as
climate change, and form a regional alliance to confront our shared threats, first and foremost,
Iran. Such an alliance could share intelligence about different threats and even collaborate on
defensive capabilities. Can you imagine Israeli air defense systems like Iron Dome protecting
the airspace of our new partners in the Gulf? Maybe one day even Saudi Arabia?


I want to take this opportunity to thank my dear friends, Lana, Jamal, Omar and of course
Linda. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you this past year, strengthening the
ties between our countries and ensuring the success of the Accords. I look forward to continuing
to work together for the benefit of our countries, the region and the entire world.


Thank you.