UAE welcomes Bahrain-Israel relations

Our Correspondent

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has commended Bahrain’s move to forge ties with Israel on September 11, and expressed hope that establishing relations would have a positive effect on the climate of peace and cooperation regionally and internationally, WAM reported.

The Ministry also noted that the move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity, underscoring that it would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific, and diplomatic avenues of cooperation.

The same day, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, had received a phone call from US President Donald Trump with the participation of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, King Hamad stressed the need to reach a just and comprehensive peace as a strategic option, in accordance with the two-state solution and relevant resolutions of international legitimacy.

The Bahraini King praised the pivotal role and steady efforts of the US administration to advance the peace process, establish security and stability in the Middle East and strengthen international peace.

According to Bahrain News Agency, President Trump extended an invitation to Bahrain to participate in the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel on September 15 at the White House.

The joint statement issued after the call stated, among other things: “The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to enable the Palestinian people to realise their full potential. Israel affirmed that as set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem’s other holy sites will remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.”

It also commended the UAE and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for announcing full diplomatic relations with Israel.
At the White House ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani will be signing a historic Declaration of Peace, it added.