Israel, Bahrain formalise diplomatic relations

MANAMA — Israel and Bahrain cemented Sunday a deal officially establishing relations and signed several memorandums of understanding.

An Israeli delegation, led by National Security Council chief Meir Ben Shabbat, headed to Manama from Tel Aviv on the first direct flight between the two countries to formalise the US-brokered deal they agreed to at the White House on September 15.

Israeli and Bahraini officials on Sunday signed the document establishing bilateral relations in the presence of other international dignitaries and reporters, an AFP correspondent said. They also agreed seven memorandums of understanding.

King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa as well as Bahrain's crown prince and prime minister were absent from the ceremony, the correspondent said. 

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani said during the event that it was the "start of relations between the two countries leading to constructive cooperation in various fields". 

He said the decision to formalise ties with Israel comes from the "belief in the values of tolerance... in a region whose people have suffered from wars and conflicts". 

A flurry of diplomacy between some of Washington's key regional allies has handed US President Donald Trump a key foreign policy win as he campaigns for re-election ahead of polls in November.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trump's special assistant for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz, travelled to Tel Aviv before joining the Israeli delegation's flight to Manama. 

The two sides will be free to open embassies in each other's countries after the ceremony, Berkowitz said, adding that an Israeli embassy in Manama could open within months. 

Upon arrival in Manama, Israel's Shabbat said in Arabic it was a "great day", adding these relations will "most likely benefit both sides". 

Before takeoff, he said the aim was "to translate into practical plans and concrete agreements the peace declaration that was signed on the White House lawn".

Israel’s normalisation of ties with the UAE and Bahrain has, however, outraged the Palestinians, who have called the deals "a stab in the back" and urged Arab states to maintain unity against Israel. 

Zayani, however, on Sunday stressed that Bahrain calls for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to end the conflict based on a two-state solution.