Bahrain and Israel established diplomatic relations - signed aviation and agriculture agreements

Bahrain and Israel on Sunday signed an interim agreement to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries. Bahrain Foreign Minister Abed a-Latif a-Ziani, Foreign Ministry Director General Alon Ushpiz and National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat signed the joint declaration establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Bahrain as well as eight memoranda of understanding in various fields, including visas, aviation, agriculture and investments .
"We have signed these agreements because we believe in coexistence and reconciliation," the Bahraini foreign minister said at the signing ceremony. "Comprehensive peace must be reached in the Middle East and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be resolved through direct negotiations in order to achieve a two-state solution based on the Arab peace initiative and UN resolutions. We congratulate the Israeli government on its positive approach to the Trump program." At the end of the ceremony, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi sent an official request to his counterpart in Bahrain to open an Israeli embassy in Manama.
The US Secretary of State welcomed the signing of the Interim Agreement. "Today is just the beginning - for the United States and for Bahrain and Israel it is an important step in strengthening stability in the region. There is a great opportunity - in security, the economy, aviation and other areas," he said.
Ben Shabbat joined in, saying "this is a good signature of a promising start." He added that "today we took the first official step in tightening relations. We opened the doors for further contacts. We were received with open arms warmly and cordially and we look forward to the visit of Bahrain government representatives to Israel soon."
The interim agreement is a step in the direction between the "peace declaration" signed at the White House on September 15 by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahrain's foreign minister, and the signing of a comprehensive "peace treaty." The main agreement signed is the establishment of diplomatic relations and the opening of embassies. This, in addition to signing six to eight memoranda of understanding in various fields.
Ahead of the signing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Bahrain's Secretary of State and US Secretary of State. Netanyahu said that "we are advancing peace by huge steps."
The US delegation is led by Finance Minister Steve Manuchin and White House envoy Avi Berkovich, and is headed by National Security Adviser Ben Shabbat and Foreign Ministry Director General Ushpiz. The Israeli delegation includes seven directors of various government ministries who held talks with their Bahrain counterparts Cooperation agreements. The delegation landed today in Bahrain on an EL AL flight, the company's first to the country.
Among other things, tourism and transportation agreements were signed. El Al and Bahrain's airline will fly on the line between Menama and Ben Gurion Airport.
Bahrain's foreign minister received the delegation upon landing. "We are beginning to implement the peace declaration we signed in Washington. This is the most effective approach to achieving peace in the Middle East," al-Ziani said.
"We are doing this out of optimism that the move will bring peace and stability to the region, and enable young people to fulfill their aspirations. We are laying the foundations for our relationship and partnership with the United States. I hope this visit is a step towards a prosperous and stable Middle East." .
Finance Minister Manuchin told reporters during the flight that the White House and the US State Department are working on normalization agreements between Israel and other Arab countries. "We hope we can announce that soon," Manuchin said. "We hope that President Donald Trump will win the election and that we can continue to advance this cause. I hope that the normalization process will not stop even if the president does not win the election."