American Students Witness Abraham Accords Success in Israel and UAE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forty-three American college students traveled to Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the winter break as part of the Israel on Campus Coalition’s Geller International Fellowship, witnessing firsthand the successes of the historic Abraham Accords. The 10-day trip, which included meetings with business leaders, academics, and political figures, aimed to foster understanding of Middle East culture and the impact of the 2020 peace agreements.

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the Trump administration, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the UAE and Bahrain. The students, representing universities across the U.S., engaged in discussions on entrepreneurship, coexistence, and diplomacy, meeting with experts such as Israeli politician Ruth Wasserman Lande and Saudi YouTuber Loay Alsharef.

“Witnessing the successes of the Abraham Accords firsthand with a group of college students who are passionate about peace and coexistence, in an era where dialogue on American college campuses like my own is sparse, has been a poignant and critical reminder of what the future of the Middle East can hold,” said Eden Yadegar, a Columbia University senior studying the Middle East, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The trip comes amid rising tensions on U.S. campuses following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which sparked widespread protests and antisemitic incidents. Students like Aidan Bloomstine, a University of Southern California senior, described the experience as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” reigniting optimism for regional peace and prosperity.

Jacob Baime, CEO of the Israel on Campus Coalition, emphasized the program’s role in shaping future leaders. “The Geller International Fellowship highlights the promise of the next generation of pro-Israel leaders and their potential to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and advance the principles of the Abraham Accords,” Baime told Fox News Digital.

The fellowship, sponsored by Martin and Lauren Geller, aims to prepare students for advocacy on campus and beyond. “Supporting this fellowship is a privilege, and we are inspired by the impact these students will have as advocates for Israel on campuses and beyond,” the Gellers said in a statement.

The Abraham Accords, signed in September 2020, marked a significant shift in Middle East diplomacy, with the UAE and Bahrain becoming the first Arab nations to normalize relations with Israel since Jordan in 1994. The agreements have since paved the way for economic and cultural cooperation, offering a model for future peacebuilding efforts in the region.

As the war in Israel continues, the students’ experiences underscore the importance of dialogue and understanding in addressing complex geopolitical challenges. “Being surrounded by like-minded campus leaders, all deeply committed to ensuring that truth prevails in these challenging times since the 10/7 Hamas massacre, has been both inspiring and reassuring,” said Sam Heller, a University of Michigan senior.

The Geller International Fellowship reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S.-Israel ties and promote the principles of the Abraham Accords, offering a glimpse of hope for a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.