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Naftali Bennett landed within the Bahraini capital, Manama, on Monday for the highest-level go to between the 2 international locations since formally establishing diplomatic relations.
An honor guard and Bahrain’s international minister, Abdullatif al-Zayani, turned up on the tarmac to greet Bennett. The 2 nations established diplomatic relations in 2020 as a part of the US-backed Abraham Accords.
Bennett’s go to happens in opposition to the backdrop of stalled efforts to revive the Iranian nuclear deal. Previous to the formal institution of diplomatic relations, there was covert safety cooperation between Israel, Bahrain and the UAE, largely focusing on Iran.
What is going to Bennett do in Bahrain?
Previous to his departure for Manama, Bennett advised reporters on the tarmac in Israel, “I’ll meet the king, I’ll meet the crown prince,” referencing Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
Bennett added his go to can be a “message of goodwill” and that he would use the chance to underscore “a shared stance in opposition to widespread threats.”
The 2-day journey comes amid elevated tensions following Houthi missile assaults on the United Arab Emirates. The Houthis are backed by Shia-majority Iran.
Why is Bennett’s go to to Bahrain vital?
On February 2, Israel’s Protection Minister Benny Gantz visited Manama. Gantz introduced Israel can be sending a navy officer as a part of a global coalition based mostly in Bahrain.
Israel has supplied different types of protection cooperation however has not specified what type that would take.
Bahrain is residence to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Forward of Bennett’s go to, there have been some protests in Shia villages, with photographs and video posted to a banned opposition group’s social media accounts.
Bahrain’s monarchy is Sunni and its outreach to Israel has been criticized by the nation’s Shia majority inhabitants.
Israel additionally normalized relations with the UAE in 2020, together with Sudan and Morocco.
ar/wmr (AP, AFP, Reuters)
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