Bahrain, Israel agree to open embassies, allow direct flights

CAIRO – 18 November 2020: Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani held talks on Wednesday with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi in Tel Aviv, where they agreed to open embassies in both countries.

Ashkenazi also announced the opening of direct airlines with Bahrain starting December 1.

This comes as Zayani led the first-ever delegation from Bahrain to Israel, where he discussed with the Israeli side ways to boost bilateral relations and mechanisms to activate the MoUs negotiated recently between the two countries.

Zayani affirmed Bahrain’s keenness to cooperate with the state of Israel in various fields, based on the values of co-existence and diversity rooted in the Bahraini society, and the belief of the necessity of cooperation to enhance peace in the Middle East.

Zayani gave a formal approval for Israel to open an embassy in Manama during the meeting, and the procedures to open the new embassies are set to take place soon, to serve the interests of both countries.

The Bahraini minister also invited Ashkenazi to visit Manama in December.

Zayani said the talks addressed a number of issues of common concern to achieve regional stability in the region, especially with the escalation of the challenges of terrorism and extremism, and the growing need to enhance the culture of dialogue and mutual understanding.

He expressed his appreciation for the role of the United States in achieving peace and pushing forward the relations between the two countries.

Israel and Bahrain in September announced a normalization agreement brokered by the US.

US President Donald Trump called the step a “historic breakthrough”.

“Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!” Trump wrote on twitter, referring also to the UAE.