S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace

The S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace is an American nonprofit advocacy organization focused on advancing a negotiated and comprehensive resolution to the Arab–Israeli conflict. Rather than operating as a commercial brand, the Center functions as a policy, convening, and diplomatic-engagement institution. Its work brings together political leaders, government officials, policymakers, researchers, and other participants from the United States and the Middle East to encourage dialogue and support peace efforts. The organization was established in 1989 by Wayne Owens, a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah, and S. Daniel Abraham, then chairman of SlimFast Foods. Owens served on the House Foreign Affairs and Select Intelligence Committees, while Abraham had served in the Second World War and had developed a personal commitment to preventing future armed conflict. Their shared interest in finding a peaceful settlement to the Arab–Israeli conflict led to the creation of the Center. The Center's activities have included meetings with government officials, diplomatic exchanges, regional travel, conferences, workshops, and fact-finding missions. It has arranged visits for members of Congress, government officials, and private citizens to meet Middle Eastern leaders and observe the political, geographic, and security conditions affecting negotiations. Its officers have also traveled extensively in Israel and in more than 20 Arab countries, using direct contact and field observation as part of the organization's approach to policy education and peace-building. A notable part of the Center's support infrastructure is its extensive collection of maps and geographic information relating to the region. The database is intended to help decision-makers understand the territorial and logistical issues that shape negotiations. The organization has also conducted recurring public-opinion polling, providing information about attitudes relevant to peace initiatives and the prospects for compromise. The Center's work sits at the intersection of nonprofit advocacy, policy research, public diplomacy, and conflict-resolution support. It does not present itself as a government negotiating body; instead, it seeks to equip and connect people who influence policy and diplomacy. In 2009, it was announced that Robert Wexler, a former Democratic congressman from Florida, would become president after resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives. The available reference material does not provide a current leadership roster, financial information, or a detailed account of later programs, so those fields remain limited here.

The S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace was founded in 1989 by Wayne Owens and S. Daniel Abraham. Owens was a Democratic representative from Utah who served on the House Foreign Affairs and Select Intelligence Committees. Abraham, who was chairman of SlimFast Foods at the time, was also a World War II combat veteran. His wartime experience contributed to a strong personal interest in preventing future conflicts. When Abraham and Owens met, they identified a common commitment to pursuing a peaceful settlement of the Arab–Israeli conflict and established the Center to advance that objective. From its beginning, the Center developed an operating model based on access, information, and engagement rather than formal government authority. Its officers traveled repeatedly throughout the Middle East and organized fact-finding missions for members of Congress, government officials, and private citizens. Through visits to Israel and more than 20 Arab countries, participants were able to meet regional leaders and gain direct exposure to the geographic, political, and security challenges confronting those seeking peace. The Center's programming has included meetings with government officials, diplomatic exchanges, conferences, workshops, and other forums intended to encourage communication among people involved in or influential to the peace process. It has also supported negotiations through a substantial database of maps and geographic information. These materials are designed to help decision-makers assess territorial questions and other location-specific issues that are central to negotiations. Regular public-opinion polling has provided another information source for understanding attitudes toward peace and political compromise. The organization has operated as an American nonprofit advocacy group working with leaders and policymakers in both the United States and the Middle East. Its role has been to facilitate informed engagement, expose American decision-makers to regional realities, and provide research and convening capacity relevant to a just and comprehensive peace. In 2009, Robert Wexler was announced as the Center's incoming president after he resigned from the House of Representatives. The supplied reference does not identify subsequent presidents, provide current organizational details, or document financial results. Accordingly, the Center's later history and present administrative structure require further verification.

• 2009

  Robert Wexler selected as president

  [1]S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  The Center announced that former Florida congressman Robert Wexler would become president after leaving the U.S. House of Representatives.

• 1989

  Center founded

  [1]S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  Wayne Owens and S. Daniel Abraham established the organization to support peaceful efforts to resolve the Arab–Israeli conflict.

A nonprofit policy and advocacy center that supports Middle East diplomacy through direct engagement, regional access, geographic research, public-opinion data, and educational convening.

• Policy research resource

  Regional maps and geographic database

  An extensive collection of maps and geographic information concerning the Middle East. The resource supports policymakers and other decision-makers by providing geographic context for territorial, logistical, and negotiation-related questions.

• Research and public diplomacy

  Public-opinion polling

  Recurring polling intended to measure public attitudes relevant to Middle East peace efforts. The polling contributes evidence about popular opinion and the political environment in which leaders consider negotiations and compromise.

• Diplomatic engagement

  Fact-finding missions

  Organized visits for members of Congress, government officials, and private citizens to meet leaders and observe conditions in Israel and Arab countries. These missions are intended to improve firsthand understanding of the obstacles and opportunities associated with regional peace efforts.

• 2009

  Robert Wexler announced as president of the Center[1]S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peaceen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  The Center announced that Robert Wexler, a Democratic member of Congress from Florida, would become its president following his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives.

1. 1S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peaceen.wikipedia.org