America is beholden to those who supply us. Institutions from the military to hospitals rely on imports from a broad range of countries, and not all of them are friendly. Relying on non-allied countries for critical goods makes us vulnerable. We can only improve that reality with bipartisan collaboration.

The top Democrats and Republicans in the Senate and several other U.S. lawmakers taking part in a series of visiting congressional delegations met with Israel’s leadership this week to discuss judicial overhaul plans, Iran and ties between Jerusalem and Washington.

The good news is that the global pandemic, combined with diplomatic breakthroughs in the Middle East, presents a unique opportunity for the United States to “nearshore” some of its pharmaceutical operations to Abraham Accords nations. 

Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), along with Representatives David Trone (MD-06), Brad Schneider (IL-10), and Ann Wagner (MO-02), today announced the creation of the Abraham Accords Caucus to build on the success of the historic Abraham Accords.

After bringing House leaders to the West Bank and securing missile defense funding, the Alabama-based USIEA sees Abraham Accords countries replacing China as pharma suppliers.

"We are elated with the overdue depoliticization of academic research, development and excellence," said USIEA Director Heather Johnston.

The USIEA trip to the industrial park in the Ariel area was an “eye-opener,” Rep. Ann Wagner said. “To see Palestinians and Jews working together, so many of the myths I had heard fell apart.”

"When we go through the West Bank we give the whole situation a fair hearing," Heather Johnston said. "There's not a Republican or Democrat that would feel uncomfortable on one of USIEA's trips to Israel."

As Iran’s nuclear potential reaches new levels and China increases its influence in the Middle East, the relationship between the U.S. and Israel grows even more vital. That is a major reason many U.S. lawmakers visit America's number one ally in the region.

Democratic Congressman Juan Vargas, who represents California's 52nd district, defended Israel's right to determine the structure of its judiciary this week.

The USIEA isn’t as well-known as AIPAC and the alphabet soup of Israel-supporting entities in America, but it has a history of punching above its weight.

The House-Senate caucus will be a ‘cheerleading squad’ for the normalization agreements, co-chair Sen. James Lankford told JI.

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Kara spoke at the second annual Israeli-Palestinian Economic Forum, a grassroots UISEA initiative to focus on ways to improve Israeli-Palestinian economic ties.

USIEA Executive Director Heather Johnston witnessed a “paradigm shift” in the senior members of Congress over the course of the mission.

With support from USIEA, Palestinian and Israeli business and political leaders launched a joint economic initiative aimed at advancing economic opportunities in the West Bank.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, two prospective 2024 Republican presidential candidates, are among several former and current U.S. officials and legislators visiting Israel this week.

The Abraham Accords have the potential to anchor Middle Eastern security cooperation, economic prosperity, and cultural exchange grounded in mutual understanding.

Partnership for Peace Fund Advisory Board will be chaired by Palestinian-American lawyer George Salem along with other prominent figures in field from both sides of the aisle.

Diplomacy reporter Lazar Berman casts an eye on the USIEA and the race to head JAFI; news editor Amy Spiro updates us on the Western Wall and Israel’s 1st Orthodox figure skater.

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“In a strong bipartisan way, we should be supporting the grassroots movement for economic cooperation between Israelis and Palestinians," said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. "It’s foundational to achieve peace in the region."

USIEA Executive Director Heather Johnston witnessed a “paradigm shift” in the senior members of Congress over the course of the mission.