Press Releases

Today, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) led 34 members of Congress in a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to nominate a Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements. Rep. Torres and Lawler worked throughout 2023 to advance legislation creating this position, passed into law in December through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 (NDAA).

"As our ally Israel continues to fight to bring their hostages home, it is increasingly important to ensure U.S. partners in the Middle East support Israel and normalize relations. That is why the Abraham Accords, first signed in 2020, were so consequential and continue to provide a roadmap for Middle East peace today. In support of this goal, we write today to urge you to nominate a Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreements," the Representatives wrote.

"Unfortunately, since this position was created in December, it is our understanding that no progress has been made to nominate an Envoy. In fact, at a House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee hearing on June 23rd, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf stated that there is not even a short list," continued the Representatives.

"It is incumbent that you nominate an Envoy as soon as possible in accordance with the FY24 NDAA. The Envoy will reinforce to our ally, Israel, and the international community that the U.S. remains committed to normalization efforts. Moreover, it further demonstrates our goal of establishing a long-lasting peace between Israel and Muslim-majority countries both in the Middle East and around the world," the Representatives concluded.

 "Everything changed in the Middle East after October 7th, which is exactly why the Abraham Accords are more important than ever before. It is critical that President Biden wake up to this simple fact and move expeditiously to nominate someone to fill the role of Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum, and Related Integration and Normalization Fora and Agreement," said Representative Lawler on the letter.

"We find ourselves at a perilous and consequential moment in the Middle East. Israel is fighting to bring the hostages home, eliminate Hamas from power, and defend the North from relentless Hezbollah rocket fire. Time is of the essence in the battle for Israel and the region's future, and now more than ever, the administration must nominate an Envoy for the Abraham Accords. In a post-October 7 world, strengthening the Abraham Accords is of heightened importance as we seek to increase Israel's strategic allies in the region and counteract Iran and its army of proxies in their never-ending battle to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. With the oversight of the Envoy, the administration will be empowered to continue in its work of building towards to a lasting peace in the region," said Representative Torres on the letter.

The list of members signed on the letter is as follows: Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Juan Ciscomani, Ben Cline, Anthony D'Esposito, Pat Fallon, Brian Fitzpatrick, Andrew Garbarino, Carlos Gimenez, Jenniffer González-Colón, Josh Gottheimer, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Kean, David Kustoff, Nick LaLota, Nicholas Langworthy, Michael Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis, Marcus Molinaro, Jared Moskowitz, Andrew Ogles, John Rutherford, Maria Salazar,  Bradley Schneider, Adrian Smith, Elise Stefanik, Haley Stevens, Claudia Tenney, Ritchie Torres, Ann Wagner, Michael Waltz, Randy Weber, Brandon Williams, Joe Wilson, and Greg Landsman.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.