Israel's Netanyahu says will visit Bahrain in 'near future'

Israel's Netanyahu says will visit Bahrain in 'near future'
Netanyahu said he will accept an invitation from Bahrain's crown prince to visit Manama in the near future.
2 min read
24 November, 2020
Netanyahu said he had a "very friendly" conversation with the crown prince. [Getty]
Israel's prime minister on Tuesday announced he will be visiting Bahrain "soon" after receiving an official invitation from the country's crown prince.

"I spoke with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa," Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted along with a video.

According to Bahrain's state-run news agency, the two leaders spoke over the phone late on Monday.

"We are both very enthusiastic about the fact that we can bring the fruits of peace to our peoples and countries, in a very short time," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli premier said he had received an invitation to visit and will accept it in the near future. "I will do it on your behalf and with pleasure," the premier added.

Bahrain normalised ties with Israel in recent months after signing a US-brokered deal.

Read also: Israeli minister congratulates Netanyahu over 'semi-official' MbS meeting despite Saudi denial

Last week, the Bahrain's Foreign Minister embarked on the first-ever trip by a top Bahraini official to the Jewish state.

During his visit, FM Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani called to resume Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and reportedly said regional peace would only prevail with the "creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel".

The UAE led the way in forging ties between the Gulf and Israel, announcing its decision first in August – a month before Bahrain followed suit. 

The Gulf agreements have been condemned by Palestinians, who consider the deal a "betrayal" to their cause.

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