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'Blessed Are the Peacemakers': Christian Leaders Praise Trump for Israel-UAE Peace Deal


‘Blessed Are the Peacemakers’: Christian Leaders Praise Trump for Israel-UAE Peace Deal


Vice President Mike Pence and several Christian leaders referenced Scripture after Israel signed a historic peace deal with two Arab nations Tuesday at the White House.

“Blessed Are The Peacemakers,” Pence tweeted, quoting Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:9.

As part of the deal, Israel and the United Arab Emirates recognized each other’s sovereignty and agreed to establish embassies and ambassadors. A deal between Israel and Bahrain did the same. The peace agreement was dubbed the Abraham Accords.

It was the first Mideast peace ceremony at the White House since 1994, when President Clinton presided over a ceremony involving Israel and Jordan.

“Together, these agreements will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace across the entire region … founded on shared interests, mutual respect and friendship,” President Trump said.

Evangelist Franklin Graham applauded the peace deal.

“The Bible tells us to, ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!’ (Ps 122:6). Today officials from Israel, United Arab Emirates, & Bahrain joined @POTUS Trump to sign peace agreements called the ‘Abraham Accords,” Graham tweeted.

“Peace in the Middle East impacts the entire world. I commend President @realDonaldTrump, @JaredKushner, & those who have worked toward these important resolutions,” Graham added, referencing Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law. “Though much remains to be done, this is a start.”

Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, attended the White House ceremony.

“We’re supposed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” Jeffress said on Fox News Tuesday. “Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ And I think President Trump ought to be congratulated for being a peacemaker and making the world a little safer place to live in tonight.”

Trump said the agreement changes the “course of history.”

“After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East,” Trump said. “Thanks to the great courage of the leaders of these three countries, we take a major stride toward a future in which people of all faiths and backgrounds live together in peace and prosperity.”

Related:

Representatives for Israel, the UAE Sign Peace Agreement at the White House

Photo courtesy: ©The White House Flickr


Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chroniclethe Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.





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