Declaration of peace with Israel enhances regional security, stability: Bahrain FM

Bahrain’s declaration of a peace deal with Israel will enhance regional security and stability and stems from the firm belief in coexistence and tolerance between nations, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani told Al Arabiya.

Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalize relations with Israel, US President Donald Trump said Friday, in a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.

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Al-Zayani spoke to Al Arabiya shortly after concluding a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi on Saturday a day after the normalization of relations.

“We congratulate His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa for his wise vision, the courageous and historic decision to declare support for peace between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the state of Israel after the phone call that took place yesterday between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. We also congratulate the honorable people of Bahrain for their support, belief and conviction that peace is a strategic choice for the nation. His majesty’s vision stems from a firm belief in coexistence and tolerance between nations,” al-Zayani said.

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Asked on the opponents to Bahrain’s deal with Israel, al-Zayani said it was the nature of political matters that there be supporters and opponents to decisions but reiterated Bahrain’s sovereign right to determine its own foreign policy.

Responding to Iranian condemnations to Bahrain’s deal, al-Zayani said he was not surprised.

“As for the Iranian statements, this is an expected fact. For years Iran has claimed support for Palestine, but it did nothing, on the contrary, it seeks to destabilize security and interfere in the internal affairs of Arab countries, arm and support terrorist militias, and does not call for peace and coexistence with others,” the foreign minister told Al Arabiya.