Bronx, NY—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“I welcome the announcement that the United Arab Emirates and Israel are normalizing relations.  This is a mutually beneficial step that will strengthen both countries.  It will contribute toward stability in the region and advance the cause of peace.  I hope that this new breakthrough will give courage to other countries to move forward toward normalization and motivate Palestinians to give peace a chance. I look forward to the day when Israel is surrounded by peaceful neighbors, including a democratic, demilitarized Palestinian state that accepts that the Jewish state has a permanent place in the Middle East.”

# # #