Bahrain-Israel: A History Of Conflict And Reconciliation

Bahrain and Israel have never been at war with each other. In September 2020, the two countries agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, with Bahrain becoming the fourth Arab country to recognize Israel. The agreement was facilitated by the United States and marked a strategic realignment in the Middle East, with both countries united by their common concerns regarding Iran.

Bahrain and Israel have never been at war

The first official Israeli delegation to visit Bahrain was in late September 1994 when Yossi Sarid, Israel's Minister for the Environment, took part in regional discussions and met with Bahrain's foreign minister. However, trade missions established after the Oslo I Accord were closed following the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000.

Bahrain's foreign policy has traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state. In October 2007, the Bahraini foreign minister, Khalid Alkhalifa, reiterated this stance during a meeting with the American Jewish Committee. Bahrain has also participated in regional initiatives, such as the Madrid Conference of 1991, which aimed to foster peace and improve relations in the Middle East.

In 2020, Bahrain and Israel took significant steps towards normalizing their relations. Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States. Additionally, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, affirming the right of his citizens to visit Israel.

The normalization of relations between Bahrain and Israel was driven by several factors. Firstly, both countries share a common concern over the threat posed by Iran. By joining forces, they aimed to strengthen their position against Iran's growing influence in the region. Secondly, Bahrain sought to improve its relationship with the United States, a close ally of Israel. Normalizing relations with Israel was seen as a way to please the US and gain potential economic and security benefits.

The agreement to establish full diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Israel was facilitated by the United States, with President Donald Trump announcing the deal in September 2020. The normalization agreements were hailed by Trump as a "historic" achievement that would bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

While the Bahrain-Israel agreement, along with a similar agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, was indeed a significant development, some analysts argue that it fell short of being a truly "historic" event. They claim that it did not dramatically alter the regional balance of power or lead to a resolution of long-standing conflicts between Israel and its neighbors, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Nonetheless, the agreements represented a shift in the approach of Gulf states towards Israel, signaling a potential new era in Arab-Israeli relations.

Bahrain recognised Israel's right to exist in 2018

Bahrain and Israel have had relations since Bahrain gained its independence in 1971. However, these relations have been tense, with Bahrain joining the Arab League boycott of Israel. In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States.

In September 2017, the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, stating that Bahraini citizens were entitled to visit Israel. This was followed by a viral video in 2016 of a ceremony to mark the Jewish Hanukkah holiday hosted by Bahrain, after which the King of Bahrain began normalising relations with Israel.

In May 2018, Bahrain recognised Israel's right to exist. The Manama authorities denied that this was due to tensions with Iran, affirming their commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative. This recognition of Israel's right to exist made Bahrain the fourth Arab country to grant recognition to the State of Israel.

Bahrain's foreign policy has traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state. In October 2007, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Khalid Alkhalifa, met with the American Jewish Committee and affirmed that "Palestinian refugees should return to Palestine".

In September 2020, Bahrain and Israel agreed to establish full diplomatic relations. This agreement was signed at the White House in Washington, D.C. on 15 September 2020. This agreement was facilitated by the United States, with President Donald Trump remarking that there was "no more powerful response to the hatred that spawned 9/11".

In March 2021, Bahrain appointed Khaled Yousif al-Jalahma as its first ambassador to Israel. In September 2021, Israel opened a resident embassy in Manama, Bahrain.

However, on 2 November 2023, Bahrain suspended all economic relations with Israel in view of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and released a statement citing its "solid and historical stance that supports the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people".

Bahrain and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 2020

Bahrain and Israel have had relations since Bahrain gained its independence in 1971. However, these relations have been tense, with Bahrain joining the Arab League boycott of Israel. In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States.

In 2017, the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, stating that his country's citizens were entitled to visit Israel. In 2018, Bahrain recognised Israel's right to exist and in 2019, the foreign ministers of both countries met in the United States.

Finally, in September 2020, it was announced that Bahrain and Israel had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations. The agreement was signed on September 15, 2020, at the White House in Washington, D.C. An Israeli delegation then travelled to Manama, Bahrain, on October 18, 2020, to sign a normalisation declaration document.

The normalisation of relations between Bahrain and Israel has been viewed as a way to deter perceived regional threats, specifically from Iran. Bahrain's foreign policy has traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state. However, the normalisation deal has been criticised by Palestinians as a betrayal and a blow to their efforts to achieve self-determination.

In March 2021, Bahrain appointed its first ambassador to Israel, with the ambassador taking up his post in August 2021. Israel opened a resident embassy in Manama in September 2021.

However, in November 2023, Bahrain suspended all economic relations with Israel in view of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Bahrain and Israel have embassies in each other's countries

Bahrain and Israel have had a complex relationship since Bahrain gained independence from British rule in 1971. Initially, Bahrain joined the Arab League boycott of Israel, but over the years, relations between the two countries have improved, and they have taken steps towards normalising ties.

In September 2020, it was announced that Bahrain and Israel had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, making Bahrain the fourth Arab country and the second Arab country in the Persian Gulf region to recognise the State of Israel. As part of the agreement, the two countries said they would exchange ambassadors and open embassies in each other's countries.

In March 2021, Bahrain appointed Khaled Yousif al-Jalahma as its first ambassador to Israel, and he took up his post in Israel at the end of August 2021. Israel opened a resident embassy in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, in September 2021.

In September 2023, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Manama and officially reopened Israel's new embassy, replacing the previous one. This marked a significant milestone in the normalisation of relations between the two countries.

However, on 2 November 2023, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended all economic relations with Israel. Bahrain's parliament made this decision in support of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Israel stated that they had no prior knowledge of Bahrain's decision.

Bahrain and Israel's normalisation of relations was influenced by a common threat from Iran

Bahrain and Israel have had relations since Bahrain gained its independence in 1971. However, these relations have been tense, with Bahrain joining the Arab League boycott of Israel. In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the US.

In 2017, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, stating that Bahraini citizens were entitled to visit Israel. This was followed by a viral video of a ceremony marking the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah hosted by Bahrain in 2016, which led to the normalisation of relations.

The normalisation of relations between Bahrain and Israel was influenced by a common threat from Iran. Analysts have noted that Bahrain and Israel have a mutual hostility towards Iran, which has been referred to as their "number one enemy". Iran's growing influence and activities in the Middle East have been a cause for concern for both countries. During the May 2018 Israel-Iran incident in Syria, Bahrain expressed support for Israel's "right to defend itself".

The normalisation deal between Bahrain and Israel was also driven by a desire to strengthen the status quo and protect against any potential uprisings. By teaming up, both countries gained an ally committed to maintaining the current political and social order. Additionally, Bahrain's decision to normalise relations was influenced by its close ties with Saudi Arabia, which has been a key supporter of the recent normalisation deals in the region.

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