Democratic and Republican Senators Introduce Bill to Monitor Arab Government Retribution for Civil Peacemakers
In a rare measure of bipartisan unity in the U.S. Senate, Democrat Cory Booker and Republican Rob Portman introduced a bill today that provides recourse to Arabs who face government retribution for engaging in people-to-people relations with Israeli citizens. Drawing on recommendations from the Arab Council for Regional Integration, a pan-Arab body established last year, the bill calls on the U.S. Secretary of State to report annually on the mistreatment of Arabs who run afoul of their country’s “anti-normalization laws,” as well as any extra-judicial measures governments may take against these citizens.
“Since my time in the Senate, I have consistently supported Arab-Israeli engagement,” said Senator Booker. “The need for people-to-people engagement between these communities is not only a critical tool for diplomacy but also important for peace and economic prosperity in the region. With Senator Portman’s partnership, this bipartisan bill will strengthen America’s commitment to pursuing peace by supporting and encouraging dialogue between Arab and Israeli citizens.”
“Anti-normalization laws in the region continue to be a barrier toward communities, people, NGOs and business coming together, Senator Portman said. "In my visits to the region, I’ve seen the deep and abiding friendships that exist, and they are essential to building a long term peace,” Portman continued. “This bill will discourage those Arab League states that continue to enforce anti-normalization laws and support efforts like those proposed by the Arab Council that encourage and defend community engagement amongst Arabs and Israelis.”
The Senate bill, titled the “Strengthening Reporting of Actions Taken Against the Normalization of Relations with Israel Act of 2020,” notes that “a rising tide of Arab civic actors advocate direct engagement with Israeli citizens.” It cites “the Arab Council for Regional Integration, a group of 32 public figures from 15 Arab countries who oppose the boycott of Israel on the grounds that the boycott has denied Arabs the benefits of partnership with Israelis, has blocked Arabs from helping to bridge the Israeli-Palestinian divide, and inspired divisive intra-Arab boycotts among diverse sects.” The bill then recounts the Arab Council’s February testimony at the French National Assembly concerning the harmful effects of “anti-normalization laws,” and a landmark statement endorsing the Arab Council by 85 French Senators, MPs, former Prime Ministers, and others last May.
Building on the Arab Council’s proposals, the bill instructs the U.S. Secretary of State to include within his annual reporting on human rights practices a country-by-country assessment of the status of “anti-normalization laws;” instances of prosecution or persecution of Arabs who call for peace or meet with Israeli citizens; and any positive steps taken by Arab governments to encourage engagement on the nongovernment level between Arabs and Israelis.
Mostafa El-Dessouki, a co-founder and Director of the Arab Council, said, “We are gratified that at a time of turmoil around the world, two prominent U.S. Senators have decided to stand with advocates of people-to-people engagement between Arabs and Israelis. Civil society has always been the ‘missing piece’ in efforts to forge a just and lasting peace in our region. This bill will empower the many bridge-builders among us to move forward toward a ‘peace between peoples.’”