The American Jewish Committee (AJC) convened a high-level gathering in Washington, D.C., bringing together Trump Administration officials, diplomats, and thought leaders to launch the AJC Center for a New Middle East. The event underscored the organization's vision for fostering greater regional cooperation in the wake of the October 7 attacks and explored pathways for strengthening political, economic, and civic ties across the Middle East.
A New Middle East
Following the devastating events of October 7, AJC faced a fundamental challenge: allow the forces of division to dictate the future or leverage its decades of trust-building to promote a more interconnected and stable region. The organization chose the latter, leading to the creation of the AJC Center for a New Middle East.
AJC’s work in the region dates back to the 1950s, deepening relationships that were further strengthened after the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference. AJC was the first American Jewish organization to open an office in Israel and remains the only Jewish organization with an office in an Arab state, having established AJC Abu Dhabi: The Sidney Lerner Center for Arab-Jewish Understanding in 2021. This presence, coupled with AJC’s 15 international posts, positions the Center to play a leading role in shaping policy and fostering cooperation.
U.S. Special Envoy’s Vision for Regional Integration
During a fireside chat with AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff emphasized the potential for deeper regional integration, highlighting the importance of normalizing Israeli-Saudi relations and strengthening U.S.-Saudi strategic cooperation.
“Israel is a bedrock of great technological innovation,” Witkoff stated, pointing to common interests among Israel and Gulf nations in fields such as blockchain, robotics, and hyperscale data centers. “Imagine all of them working together. It could be an incredible region.”
AJC CEO Ted Deutch framed the geopolitical landscape as a stark choice: between the extremism of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, or the path of regional cooperation exemplified by the Abraham Accords. “It is because of AJC’s decades of work in the Middle East, the Gulf, and around the world that we have the opportunity to create this once-in-a-generation change,” he said.
A Roadmap for Lasting Change
AJC heralded critical achievements of the first Trump Administration, particularly the Abraham Accords in 2020, which laid the groundwork for new diplomatic, business, and security collaborations across the region. As the conflict winds down, AJC sees an opportunity to reshape the Middle East and integrate Israel more fully into its neighborhood.
The AJC Center for a New Middle East is built on several key principles:
- Israel’s security and regional integration are crucial U.S. interests.
- The post-October 7 reality presents a rare opportunity for new agreements that enhance peace and stability.
- U.S.-led economic initiatives benefit regional prosperity and counter threats from Iran, China, and Russia.
- Strategic partners like the European Union and India can help strengthen the Abraham Accords.
- Gaza reconstruction should include Palestinian participation in regional integration efforts.
- Iran remains the foremost regional threat and must be denied nuclear capabilities.
Diplomatic, Business, and Civil Society Initiatives
The Center’s work is structured around three pillars: diplomacy and policy, business and innovation, and civil society engagement. AJC actively promotes U.S. commitment to Middle East security, regional business collaboration, and interfaith dialogue to advance Israeli-Arab understanding.
Diplomatic Efforts: AJC facilitates high-level gatherings in Israel, the UAE, and across its 25 U.S.-based offices, bringing Arab and Israeli leaders together. It also supports expanding U.S.-Israel cooperation programs, including USAID's Middle East Regional Cooperation Program (MERC) and the Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA).
Business and Innovation: AJC fosters business ties between Israeli, Arab, and American entrepreneurs, hosting initiatives such as the Regional Business Collectives and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project to encourage economic integration.
Civil Society and Education: AJC promotes interfaith engagement, young professional programs, and academic partnerships to encourage people-to-people connections. The Michael Sachs Fellowship for Emerging Leaders fosters Muslim-Jewish ties, while AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy connects student leaders from the U.S., Israel, and the Arab world.
Support for Hostages and Future Regional Stability
Since October 2023, AJC has spearheaded advocacy efforts for hostage families, facilitating hundreds of meetings with U.S. and international government officials. AJC CEO Ted Deutch, who played a key role in the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages, has been at the forefront of these efforts.
As the Trump Administration works to secure the release of hostages, AJC stands ready to offer its expertise. Looking forward, the organization aims to help reshape U.S. policy on hostage negotiations and global deterrence strategies.
A Transformative Vision for the Middle East
By integrating diplomacy, business partnerships, and civic engagement, the AJC Center for a New Middle East seeks to build a foundation for lasting peace and prosperity. Through its global network and ongoing high-level engagement, AJC remains committed to fostering regional collaboration, strengthening the Abraham Accords, and advancing Israel’s place in the world.
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