Bill Summary
This legislation is a resolution passed by the House of Representatives which encourages the Department of State and civil society to support and promote the Abraham Accords, a peace agreement between Israel and several neighboring countries. The resolution recognizes the positive impact of the Abraham Accords in improving relations and promoting peace in the Middle East, and calls for further efforts to ensure mutual recognition and coexistence between Israel and Palestine. The resolution also highlights the shared threat posed by Iran and violent extremist groups, and the need for a regional security strategy to address these threats. It also encourages the expansion of the Abraham Accords to other countries, and emphasizes the importance of peace and tolerance education in national curricula to combat extremist influences. The resolution urges international organizations to prioritize counter-incitement and eliminate antisemitism, and calls on the Department of State to actively engage with countries in the region to promote curricula reform. Finally, the resolution encourages civil society and partners to work together to ensure that the next generation receives a quality peace and tolerance education.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation may affect people by promoting peace and tolerance education in schools and encouraging other countries to do the same. This could lead to a more inclusive and understanding society, fostering better relationships between different nations and cultures.
2. The legislation also aims to eliminate hate speech and antisemitic content from national curricula, which could impact individuals who have been exposed to such harmful ideologies. By promoting education for peace and tolerance, the legislation aims to create a more peaceful and accepting world.
3. The resolution encourages the Department of State to engage with countries in the region and press for curricula reform in bilateral dialogues. This could have a direct impact on individuals living in these countries, as they may see changes in their education system that promote values of peace and tolerance.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1476 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1476
Encouraging the Department of State and civil society to further the
Abraham Accords by encouraging peace and tolerance in education.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 19, 2024
Mr. Schneider (for himself, Mrs. Rodgers of Washington, Mrs. Wagner,
and Mr. Trone) submitted the following resolution; which was referred
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Encouraging the Department of State and civil society to further the
Abraham Accords by encouraging peace and tolerance in education.
Whereas the Abraham Accords shattered barriers, improved ties between Israel and
neighboring countries, and advanced the cause of achieving lasting peace
in the Middle East, including through a negotiated solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict that ensures mutual recognition and
guarantees that Israelis and Palestinians live side by side with
freedom, security, and prosperity, and this negotiated solution must
include recognition of the State of Israel's right to exist;
Whereas it is the policy of the United States to develop and implement a
regional security strategy that recognizes the shared threat posed by
Iran and violent extremist organizations, ensures sufficient United
States deterrence in the region, builds partner capacity to address
shared threats, and explores multilateral security arrangements built
around like-minded partners;
Whereas the Abraham Accords created formal diplomatic ties between Israel and
the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, deepening understanding,
cooperation, and friendship among the countries;
Whereas the leadership and success of prior accords between Egypt and Israel
paved the way for creating formal diplomatic ties with other Arab and
Muslim-majority countries;
Whereas Congress supports the expansion of the Abraham Accords across the world,
in particular to Saudi Arabia and Indonesia;
Whereas Congress is committed to fostering education abroad with the values of
peace and tolerance while encouraging other countries to do the same;
Whereas peace and tolerance in national curricula and education is critical to
mitigate extremist influences to create a peaceful world and tolerant
societies of the future;
Whereas the Israel Relations Normalization Act of 2021 maintains that
antisemitism education is a critical component of a peace and tolerance
curriculum;
Whereas Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco have made
transformative and positive changes in their national curriculum, and
these changes include the reduction or removal of antisemitic content,
the elimination of hate speech, and the insertion of new educational
material promoting respect, tolerance, and peace with others;
Whereas there have been similar positive changes in the national curriculum of
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, who are actively implementing educational
reforms that foster inclusivity, respect, and understanding; and
Whereas civil society reports on reforms of national curriculum in the region,
which apply methodological standards on education for peace and
tolerance, have been instrumental in encouraging positive change
throughout the Arab and Muslim world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) encourages Israel and its Arab and Muslim-majority
neighbors to continue to deepen and expand cooperation across
the full spectrum of economic, security, and civilian issues,
emphasizing collaborative efforts in peace and tolerance
education;
(2) encourages international organizations, including the
United Nations, to improve and prioritize counter-incitement in
its educational work throughout the region, as well as take
steps to eliminate antisemitism across all United Nations
bodies;
(3) supports the expansion and strengthening of the Abraham
Accords to urge other countries to normalize relations with
Israel and ensure that existing agreements reap tangible
security and economic benefits for the citizens of those
countries and all peoples in the region;
(4) encourages the Department of State to proactively
engage with countries in the region, supporting the goals of
this resolution and the Israel Relations Normalization Act of
2021, to press for curricula reform in bilateral dialogues as a
key agenda item to help facilitate the implementation of
positive changes that promote regional stability, peace, and
tolerance based on international standards; and
(5) encourages civil society and partners across the United
States to continue working together with governments across the
world to make sure the next generation of children receives a
quality, comprehensive peace and tolerance education.
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