Israel PM meets Bahrain king, Jewish community on landmark visit

MANAMA — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Bahrain's king on a landmark visit on Tuesday to the small, oil-rich Gulf country, 17 months after they ended decades of tensions to normalise ties.

"In these tumultuous times it's important that from this region we send a message of goodwill, of cooperation, of standing together against common challenges," Bennett said before his departure on Monday.

On Tuesday he met King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who is also prime minister of the island nation that is close to top regional power Saudi Arabia and which hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Bennett, the first Israeli head of government to visit Bahrain, discussed "deepening cooperation" in meetings with the defence and other ministers, his office said.

"We want to fill this relationship with substance in energy, in drive, in economy, in tourism and in the regional architecture," Bennett said. "We spoke about opportunities where we can strengthen the bridge."

Bennett also met US Fifth Fleet commander Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, said the premier’s office, stressing its role in maintaining regional stability in the face of threats.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates became only the third and fourth Arab states, following Egypt and Jordan, to establish ties with Israel in the pacts negotiated under then US president Donald Trump.

Bennett visited the UAE in December.

Bahrain’s king welcomed Bennett’s visit and emphasised the importance of strengthening the bilateral partnership in light of the Abraham Accords, said the official Bahrain News Agency.

Bennett also met the small Jewish community of Bahrain, about 50 people, who had practised their faith behind closed doors since the 1947 start of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

After the Abraham Accords, a small synagogue in the heart of Manama was renovated and reopened.

Bennett told Jewish community members there that “I’m very delighted to be here in Bahrain, and I could think of no better way to kick off this visit than seeing my family here”.

Bennett’s Bahrain trip follows a visit by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz earlier this month that saw the two countries sign a defence agreement.

That deal covered intelligence, procurement and joint training. As part of the agreements, Israel is set to post a naval official in Bahrain.