Bahrain-Israel Relations: Unlikely Alliance Explored

Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel in 2020 was driven by a desire to strengthen its relationship with the United States and counterbalance the influence of regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran. The normalisation agreement, known as the Abraham Accords, was facilitated by former U.S. President Donald Trump and marked a significant shift in the dynamics of the Middle East. While the deal brought strategic gains for Bahrain, such as access to Israel's advanced security and intelligence capabilities, it also faced opposition from Bahraini citizens and civil society groups who viewed it as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. The Bahraini government has had to perform a delicate balancing act, managing public opinion at home while preserving its relationship with Israel.

Bahrain's normalisation of ties with Israel was driven by its desire to strengthen relations with the US

Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel was largely driven by its desire to strengthen relations with the United States. In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the US. This marked an early shift in Bahrain's foreign policy, which had traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The normalisation of ties between Bahrain and Israel was officially announced by US President Donald Trump on September 11, 2020, and was formalised at a signing ceremony at the White House on September 15, 2020. This agreement, known as the Abraham Accords, was the culmination of years of improving relations between the two countries.

Bahrain's support for Israel was further motivated by their shared concerns regarding Iran's growing influence in the region. Both countries viewed Iran as a common threat and sought to strengthen their cooperation in response. In May 2018, Bahrain recognised Israel's right to defend itself against Iran, marking a significant shift in Bahrain's foreign policy.

The normalisation agreement between Bahrain and Israel was part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to normalise relations between Israel and other Arab countries. This "piecemeal" approach aimed to improve regional stability and counter Iran's influence. The agreement included provisions for the exchange of ambassadors, the establishment of embassies, and cooperation in various fields such as technology, health, and agriculture.

The normalisation of ties with Israel also provided Bahrain with an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had also normalised relations with Israel around the same time. Additionally, it offered Bahrain a counterweight to the influence of Saudi Arabia, from whom Bahrain had received financial support in the past.

While Bahrain faced some domestic opposition to the normalisation of ties with Israel, particularly due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the country's leadership emphasised their continued commitment to a two-state solution and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Bahrain's security and intelligence capabilities benefit from Israel's more advanced technologies

In recent years, Bahrain has taken steps to strengthen its security and intelligence capabilities by forging closer ties with Israel, a country known for its technological prowess and innovation. This is particularly evident in the areas of cybersecurity and military technology, where Israel has made significant advancements.

Bahrain has expressed interest in collaborating with Israel on technologies that will help it manage water resources and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Additionally, Bahrain has sought to tap into Israel's expertise in agritech and carbon emission reduction technologies. By engaging with Israeli companies and institutions, Bahrain hopes to gain access to cutting-edge technologies that can support its economic and environmental goals.

The normalization of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Israel, facilitated by the Abraham Accords, has opened up new avenues for security and intelligence cooperation. Israel, with its advanced cyber capabilities, has become a key partner for Bahrain and other Gulf countries in addressing cyber threats and enhancing their cyber resilience.

Israel's unique relationship between its security establishment and high-tech sector has been instrumental in developing its military capabilities. The collaboration between the two sectors has resulted in the development of state-of-the-art defense systems, such as the Iron Dome and Iron Beam, which have proven effective in protecting Israelis from rocket attacks.

The integration of technology and national security in Israel is deeply rooted in its history. The country's founding fathers, recognizing their numerical disadvantage in the region, made a strategic decision to invest in human capital, science, and technology for defensive purposes. This investment in science and technology education has paid off, with Israel now boasting the second-highest number of tech start-ups globally and a thriving ecosystem of cyber and defense technology companies.

The close collaboration between Israel's tech sector and its military has resulted in a highly skilled and motivated workforce, with many individuals moving between the two sectors. This seamless transition enables a rapid transfer of knowledge and technology, allowing for the swift development and deployment of innovative solutions to address pressing security challenges.

Bahrain's decision to support Israel, therefore, can be understood in the context of enhancing its security and intelligence capabilities by leveraging Israel's advanced technologies and expertise in these critical areas.

Bahrain's decision was influenced by Saudi Arabia and the UAE's normalisation of ties with Israel

Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel was influenced by several factors, including the kingdom's desire to strengthen its relationship with the United States and counter the influence of Iran in the region. However, the normalisation of ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel also played a significant role in shaping Bahrain's decision.

In 2020, Bahrain became one of the first Arab states to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel since the Israel–Jordan peace treaty came into effect in 1994. This decision was influenced by the normalisation of relations between the UAE and Israel, which occurred just a month earlier. The UAE-Israel normalisation agreement, known as the Abraham Accords, was seen as a step towards greater regional stability and peace. Bahrain, which has close ties with the UAE, praised the agreement and expressed its support.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia's unofficial cooperation with Israel also influenced Bahrain's decision. By 2017, Saudi Arabia and Israel had been engaging in unofficial cooperation for at least five years, with intelligence services from both countries assisting each other and officials regularly sharing intelligence. This cooperation was likely a factor in Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel, as the kingdom has close relations with Saudi Arabia and often aligns its foreign policy with that of its neighbour.

The normalisation of ties between Bahrain and Israel was also driven by a shared fear of Shiite Iran and its nuclear programme. In 2018, Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, publicly welcomed and supported the U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal, citing Iran's destabilising activities in the Middle East. This alignment in foreign policy further contributed to Bahrain's decision to normalise relations with Israel.

Furthermore, the normalisation agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbours, including Bahrain, were facilitated by the piecemeal approach of the Trump administration. The U.S. administration sought to normalise relations between Israel and other Arab countries, even in the absence of a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This approach created an environment conducive to Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel.

While Bahrain has faced domestic and international criticism for its decision, the kingdom remains committed to its relationship with Israel. Despite the challenges, Bahrain continues to view its normalisation agreement with Israel as a strategic framework that brings it closer to other regional powers, such as the UAE, and counterbalances the influence of Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain's normalisation of ties with Israel was not supported by its citizens

The normalisation of ties with Israel has been a long process, with Bahrain abandoning its boycott of Israel in 2005 in exchange for a free trade agreement with the US. In 2017, the King of Bahrain denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, saying his citizens were entitled to visit Israel. In 2018, Bahrain recognised Israel's right to exist and in 2019, Israeli journalists were allowed to cover the Israeli-Palestinian economic peace workshop in Bahrain.

However, the Bahraini government has had to perform a delicate balancing act, trying to preserve its relationship with Israel while also managing public opinion. In 2020, when the normalisation deal was signed, Bahrain's king stressed the need to reach a "just and comprehensive peace" and the agreement was not supported by parliament.

Bahrain's decision to normalise ties with Israel has been driven by a desire to counter the influence of Iran and to strengthen its relationship with the US. However, this has not been supported by its citizens, who see it as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. The normalisation of ties has also brought few business benefits to Bahrain, in contrast to the United Arab Emirates, which signed a deal at the same time.

Israel's military capabilities are seen as crucial for regional security

The country's military success is not limited to the present; Israel has a history of successful military campaigns against its Arab enemies, notably the Six-Day War of 1967 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Israel's military prowess is further demonstrated by its high-profile hostage rescue missions, such as the Entebbe operation in 1976.

Israel's military strength is underpinned by its large active-duty personnel and reserve forces, with approximately 169,500 active-duty personnel and roughly 465,000 reservists. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also have a vast array of armored vehicles, artillery, missiles, fighter planes, helicopters, warships, and drones at their disposal. Israel is believed to possess dozens of nuclear warheads and has highly sophisticated submarines and aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons.

The U.S. has been a steadfast supporter of Israel's security, providing over $130 billion in bilateral assistance since 1948. This assistance has helped transform the IDF into one of the world's most capable and effective militaries. The U.S. and Israel regularly collaborate through the Joint Political-Military Group (JPMG) to promote shared policies and address common threats.

Israel's military capabilities are particularly crucial in the context of countering Iran's growing influence and activities in the Middle East. Bahrain, a small Gulf state, views close ties with Israel as a bulwark against Iran, a large Muslim Shi'ite nation across the Gulf. The normalization of relations between Bahrain and Israel, formalized through the Abraham Accords, is indicative of the recognition of Israel's military strength and its potential contribution to regional security.

In summary, Israel's military capabilities are seen as a cornerstone of regional security. Its advanced technology, successful military campaigns, and strong support from the U.S. make it a crucial ally in maintaining stability in the Middle East, especially against perceived threats such as Iran.

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