Diplomatic Events

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Israel hosted a National Day celebration on Thursday evening at the Hilton hotel in Tel Aviv. The historic evening commemorated the establishment of Bahrain as an Arab and Muslim state in 1783 by Ahmed al Fateh, as well as the anniversary of King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s accession. It was also a celebration of the flourishing binational ties between Bahrain and Israel.

Following the national anthems of Israel and Bahrain, H.E. Ambassador Khaled Yusuf al Jalahma took the podium to address the audience. The ambassador recalled his initial emotions on taking up the historic position of the first ambassador to Israel, and spoke warmly of the support he has received in the last year and a half. Ambassador Jalahma noted that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bahrain and Israel had allowed Bahrainis to engage with their “Arab brothers and sisters and Jewish cousins” in Israel, and vice versa. 

Ambassador Jalahma talked of the strong desire for peace and warm relations between Bahrain and Israel, and how much the ties have already grown. The ambassador also spoke of the importance to the Bahraini people of ensuring that Palestinians are treated justly. Ambassador Jalahma noted the desire by Bahrainis and Israelis alike to ensure a more stable, peaceful Middle East for the betterment of everyone’s future.

Minister of Regional Engagement, H.E. Mr. Issawi Frej, spoke on behalf of the government of Israel. Minister Frej expressed the happiness of all Israelis at the new and thriving relations with Bahrain. The minister listed over 40 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) signed between the two nations already, and the historic visit to Bahrain by Israeli President Herzog, as evidence of the flourishing relationship between Bahrain and Israel.

Minister Frej noted that “the Abraham Accords and the warm peace between us are here to stay and expand. The Peace Agenda crosses government and political lines, and we want every citizen in Bahrain and in Israel to enjoy the fruits of our peace.” Minister Frej also noted that “We must not forget our neighbors, the Palestinians. Those who share with us the same piece of land and who, the better their lives are, the better our lives will be”, calling for greater economic integration of Palestinians, for the economic betterment and stability of all the people in the region. 

Among the areas of cooperation between Bahrain and Israel, the minister listed “investment, trade, food security, cyber-security, agro-tech, energy, diamonds, and research-and-development,” with many more areas for potential partnerships. Minister Frej concluded his remarks with a blessing for “continued prosperity and success” for Bahrain, and for “the friendship and cooperation between us continue to flourish in the years ahead.”

The guests also heard a pre-recorded video greeting from the Israeli prime minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu, and numerous videos highlighting different aspects of Bahrain’s rich and unique heritage, tourism opportunities, as well as business-friendly environment for foreign investors and companies.

Guests enjoyed live music, along with a lavish dinner menu featuring traditional Gulf delicacies. Handcrafts from Bahrain were also on display, while large screens showed images awaiting visitors to the kingdom. All the guests also received a bag filled with mementos from Bahrain.

The distinguished guests included many ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, along with business and civil society leaders, including : Minister of Communications, Mr. Yoaz Hendel; the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Chief of Protocol Gil Haskel and wife; Henrique Cymerman, Journalist, Director, Author, and Lecturer at Reichman University Herzliya and  President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel - Gulf States ; Izzy Haikin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Israel - Gulf States Chairman  ILGCC Israel-Gulf Cooperation Council; Dan Catarivas, Director General – Foreign Trade and International Relations at the Manufacturers Association of Israel; Uriel Bin, CEO of D-Fence electronic Fencing & Security Systems; Hadas Shpaner, from the Board of Directors of D-Fence electronic Fencing & Security Systems; Gil Shohat, Israeli classical music composer, conductor, pianist and lecturer; Chemi Peres, chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation; Yona Bartal, representative of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation; Andrea Yip Zidkilov from the Andrea Yip  Consulting Group; Gideon Tahler, Chairman of Tal Aviation, the official representative of many Airlines in Israel; and Georgina Litvak - Corporate Account Manager - Hilton Tel Aviv.

Diplomacy.co.il congratulates the the Embassy , Government  and People and of Bahrain on the National Day, and offers best wishes for the continued success and growth of the ties between Bahrain and Israel.