Wrapping up visit, Bennett says Bahrain clearly seeking closer ties with Israel
PM says his trip to Gulf kingdom, the first by an Israeli premier, aimed ‘to establish a regional network of ties, a ring of alliances’
By Tal Schneider
16 February 2022
MANAMA, Bahrain — Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday said Bahrain wants to upgrade its relationship with the Jewish state, as he wrapped up the first official visit by an Israeli premier to the Gulf kingdom. Bennett touted increased cooperation on bilateral trade and tourism, but behind the scenes, his talks with the kingdom’s leadership focused on countering Iran, an official said. “It is clear that there is a strong desire by the leadership in Bahrain to be in a significant and multidimensional relationship with Israel,” Bennett told reporters traveling with him.
“What we’re all trying to do is form a new regional architecture of moderate countries,” Bennett told reporters. “This architecture will provide stability, economic prosperity and be able to stand strong against the enemies who are fomenting chaos and terror. So it’s sort of a ring of stability.” Bennett met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and senior Bahraini ministers during the one-day trip, which ended Tuesday evening.
more............ https://www.timesofisrael.com/wrapp...rain-clearly-seeking-closer-ties-with-israel/
PM says his trip to Gulf kingdom, the first by an Israeli premier, aimed ‘to establish a regional network of ties, a ring of alliances’
By Tal Schneider
16 February 2022
MANAMA, Bahrain — Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday said Bahrain wants to upgrade its relationship with the Jewish state, as he wrapped up the first official visit by an Israeli premier to the Gulf kingdom. Bennett touted increased cooperation on bilateral trade and tourism, but behind the scenes, his talks with the kingdom’s leadership focused on countering Iran, an official said. “It is clear that there is a strong desire by the leadership in Bahrain to be in a significant and multidimensional relationship with Israel,” Bennett told reporters traveling with him.
“What we’re all trying to do is form a new regional architecture of moderate countries,” Bennett told reporters. “This architecture will provide stability, economic prosperity and be able to stand strong against the enemies who are fomenting chaos and terror. So it’s sort of a ring of stability.” Bennett met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and senior Bahraini ministers during the one-day trip, which ended Tuesday evening.
more............ https://www.timesofisrael.com/wrapp...rain-clearly-seeking-closer-ties-with-israel/
