Israel and Bahrain signed a normalization agreement in Washington on Sept. 15, and a delegation of Israeli officials arrived to Bahrain Sept. 23 to finalize the details. Israeli sources explained that Bahrain's decision to join the United Arab Emirates in establishing relations with Israel was made shortly before the White House ceremony, leaving little time for drafting a comprehensive normalization agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa spoke on the phone yesterday to arrange the trip.
Bahrain’s state news agency tweeted after the conversation, "During telephone call between HRH the CP #Salman bin Hamas and @Israeli MP, HRH underscored importance of securing regional and international stability and enhancing efforts to support peace in the region. Potential areas of bilateral cooperation also reviewed #Bahrain."
The Israir flight that carried the Israeli delegation to Manama was allowed to cross Saudi Arabia's airspace, as was the El Al flight that brought a Israeli delegation to the UAE last month. The Manama delegation is composed of senior officials from the office of the prime minister, the National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry, including director Alon Ushpiz. Israeli business leaders are also part of the delegation, which is expected to return tonight to Israel.
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