Categories: World

In historic move, Israel opens embassy in Bahrain

<p>
Foreign minister Yair Lapid has inaugurated Israel’s embassy in Bahrain, marking Tel Aviv’s engagement with Gulf countries, which once shunned diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.</p>
<p>
A senior rabbi in Bahrain and members of their Jewish faith welcomed Lapid’s  “historic” visit, a year after the signing of the US-brokered Abraham accords, which paved the way for the normalisation of ties between the former bitter foes.</p>
<p>
Members of the Jewish community in Bahrain gifted a new mezuzah which was placed in the new Israeli embassy in the Bahrain.</p>
<p>
“Today was historic for both Bahrain and Israel and an important moment for our Jewish community,” Al Arabiya quoted  Ebrahim D. Nonoo, president of the Jewish Community of Bahrain, as saying. “We had the opportunity to speak with the Foreign Minister and hear from him about the significance of the Bahrain-Israel relationship and we shared some of the recent milestones and developments in our community,” he observed.</p>
<p>
“Being present as the new mezuzah was affixed to the entryway of the Embassy was very meaningful. The Embassy represents an address for Bahrain-Israel business, cultural and social activities to flow through.”</p>
<p>
Going back to the 1880s, the Bahrain Jewish community is the only indigenous Jewish community in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It has a working synagogue and the only Jewish cemetery in the region.</p>
<p>
Significantly Lapid landed at Bahrain’s international airport in an Israir plane. Symbolically, it had an olive branch painted on its nose.</p>
<p>
Apart from Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Morocco have normalised ties with Israel under the  Abraham Accords.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/israeli-pm-to-meet-gulf-ministers-in-ny-117314.html">Israeli PM to meet Gulf Ministers in NY</a> </strong></p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/latest-news/israeli-pm-hails-abraham-accords-on-st-anniversary-115586.html">Israeli PM hails Abraham Accords on 1st anniversary</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

MEA condemns Canada’s “baseless references” against Home Minister Amit Shah

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday strongly protested against recent allegations made by…

7 hours ago

“Verification patrolling has commenced… in Demchok and Depsang”: MEA on disengagement between India and China

The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday said that verification patrolling has commenced in Demchok…

8 hours ago

“Sanctioned companies not in violation of Indian law,” says MEA after US sanctions 19 Indian companies

The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday reacted to the recent U.S. sanctions imposed on…

9 hours ago

Two terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in J-K’s Anantnag

Two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag…

11 hours ago

“Not an issue of security lapses, security forces giving befitting reply”: Rajnath Singh on J-K terror attacks

Terming the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir as "unfortunate", Union Defence Minister Rajnath…

12 hours ago

Nasirabad: BYC holds demonstrations against enforced disappearances by Pakistan’s forces

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) held demonstrations against the ongoing enforced disappearances by the Pakistan…

15 hours ago