Manama: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: The establishment of diplomatic ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Israel will open a new era of cooperation in social, economic and cultural sectors.
“Mazel Tov and Mabrouk to Israel and Bahrain on this historic announcement on establishing diplomatic relations. Throughout my close relationship with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain for more than a decade, this is something we have discussed many times and I have heard him talk repeatedly about his overriding interest and genuine desire to see the establishment of relations between his kingdom and Israel. Today, his dream became a reality,” Rabbi Marc Schneier, advisor to King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa, said on Friday.
Rabbi, who was appointed by the Royal Court in 2018, is also the president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, marking the full diplomatic ties with Israel applauded the vision of HM King Hamad on Middle East peace and steps taken by HM on promoting co-existence among different faiths and religions.
“Since the start of my work with the King in 2011, he has made his commitment clear towards building relations with Israel. His Majesty led the effort for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to legislate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and when I met with him right afterward, he told me, ‘our only hope for a strong moderate Arab voice is a strong Israel.’ He had a clear vision of what stronger regional alliances could mean for all people in the Middle East, both sharing the economic and security benefits diplomacy could bring,” he said.
This is even more special for Bahrain, among the other nations of the region, as it is home to the only indigenous Jewish community in the Arabian Gulf. I was honored when King Hamad invited me to bring a delegation from The Hampton Synagogue to visit the kingdom and meet with its Jewish community in 2018. He is very proud of his Jewish community, its synagogue and Jewish cemetery and is invested in its growth.
Today’s announcement is a wonderful development for both Bahrain and Israel and will unlock tremendous partnership when it comes to the economy, technology, healthcare and travel and tourism.”
