Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has wrapped up a 24-hour journey to Bahrain, the highest-level go to between the nations since formally establishing diplomatic relations.
The Israeli chief was welcomed by Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa and later met King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.
Bennett mentioned he got here “with a spirit of goodwill, of cooperation, of standing collectively in opposition to mutual challenges.”
Bennett additionally mentioned Israel was constructing a “ring of stability” by forming a “new regional structure of average nations.”
The Israeli prime minister posted a clip of his assembly with the crown prince, throughout which the nationwide anthem of Israel was performed.
“The Anthem of Hope “Hatikvah” on the Palace of the Crown Prince of Bahrain. A really touching and historic second. Thanks all!
Israel-Bahrain relations
Bennett landed within the Bahraini capital, Manama, on Monday, and was met with an honor guard and Bahrain’s international minister, Abdullatif al-Zayani.
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.
Why is Bennett’s go to to Bahrain important?
On February 2, Israel’s Protection Minister Benny Gantz visited Manama. Gantz introduced Israel can be sending a army officer as a part of a world coalition based mostly in Bahrain.
Israel has provided different types of protection cooperation however has not specified what kind that would take.
Bahrain is dwelling to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
Forward of Bennett’s go to, there have been some protests in Shia villages, with pictures 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.
kb,ar/wmr (AP, AFP, Reuters)