The peace deal announced Sunday between Israel and a coalition of Arab states has drawn tepid support from key members of Congress, including some allies of former President Donald Trump, raising questions about its long-term viability in Washington.
According to multiple congressional sources briefed on the agreement, lawmakers from both parties have expressed skepticism over the lack of concrete security guarantees and the absence of a clear timeline for Palestinian statehood—a core demand of U.S. foreign policy for decades. “This deal is a start, but it’s not a solution,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement Monday. “The administration must ensure that any agreement doesn’t undermine the two-state framework that has been the bedrock of U.S. policy for 30 years.”
Why the deal is facing resistance
Congressional pushback stems from two primary concerns: the exclusion of Palestinian leadership from negotiations and the perceived lack of enforcement mechanisms. A senior aide to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) told reporters that “without Palestinian buy-in, this deal risks becoming a non-starter in the region.” McCaul himself has not publicly endorsed the agreement, contrasting with his past support for Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts under Trump.
Meanwhile, the White House has framed the deal as a diplomatic breakthrough, with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasizing in a briefing that “this is not about replacing existing agreements, but building on them.” However, the absence of a formal U.S. guarantee—unlike past deals such as the Abraham Accords—has left lawmakers questioning its durability. “The devil is in the details, and right now, those details are missing,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), a vocal critic of unconditional U.S. support for Israel.
How allies of Trump are reacting
Some of Trump’s most loyal congressional allies, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), have remained publicly silent on the deal, a departure from their swift endorsements of past Middle East initiatives. A source close to Greene’s office confirmed that her team is reviewing the agreement but has not yet decided on a position. Graham, who played a key role in brokering the Abraham Accords, has not commented, despite his history of aligning with Trump’s foreign policy priorities.
In contrast, other Trump-aligned lawmakers, such as Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), have offered cautious support. “Any step toward peace is worth pursuing, but Congress will need to see tangible results before fully committing,” Cotton said in a statement. His measured tone reflects broader unease among Republicans about the deal’s potential to divide the party ahead of the 2024 election.
What happens next: Congressional oversight and regional reactions
The Biden administration is expected to brief Congress on the deal’s specifics by Thursday, a move aimed at addressing lawmakers’ concerns. However, the lack of a formal vote or legislative pathway—unlike the Abraham Accords, which were celebrated in a joint congressional resolution—could limit its political momentum. “This deal won’t survive without bipartisan support,” warned a Democratic staffer familiar with the briefing process.
Regionally, reactions have been mixed. Saudi Arabia, which reportedly mediated the talks, has not yet issued an official statement, though sources in Riyadh suggest the kingdom views the deal as a first step toward broader normalization. In contrast, Palestinian officials have condemned the agreement, with the PLO’s Saeb Erekat calling it “a betrayal of the Palestinian people.” Israel’s government, meanwhile, has praised the deal as a “major advancement,” though internal divisions over its terms have been reported.
The next critical test will be the scheduled follow-up talks in Jeddah next month, where the parties are expected to outline a roadmap for implementation. Without clear progress, the deal’s fate in Washington—and the region—remains uncertain.
