Bahrain-Israel peace deal additional asset to regional peace efforts

Fatma Abdelghani

Bahrain and Israel have agreed to establish diplomatic ties and make peace under the auspices of the U.S.

The agreement between the two states includes the full normalization of diplomatic relations, the exchange of diplomatic missions and the opening of diplomatic missions in each of the two states.

The agreement also includes the launch of a commercial airline between the two states and establishing joint cooperation in the fields of agriculture, security and education.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdelatif al-Zayani is expected to sign the agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.

This will coincide with the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates on September 15.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the potential Bahraini-Israeli deal as “historic”.

He wrote on Twitter on Friday that the agreement is an historic achievement.

The official Bahraini news agency said, meanwhile, that King Hamad bin Essa received a phone call from President Trump and Netanyahu.

It said the king underscored during the conversation the importance of reaching a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The king described peace as a “strategic option”, it said.

It added that the king also peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis has to be in the light of United Nations resolutions and be based on the two-state solution.

King Hamad also praised the central role played by the U.S. in the region as well as the efforts it makes to push the Middle East peace process forward, the agency said.

It noted that President Trump also invited King Hamad to attend the signing of the peace agreement between Israel and the UAE in Washington on September 15.

The Bahraini parliament, meanwhile, welcomed the peace deal with Israel.

It said the deal would contribute to bringing about stability and peace to the Middle East region.