Steps to Normalization: Bahraini Delegation Visits ’Israel’
Local Editor
As part of the exposed Bahraini steps towards normalization with the Zionist entity, a Bahraini delegation is visiting the ‘Israeli'-occupied territories in a sign of warming ties between both sides.
The delegation is comprised of members of interfaith group ‘This is Bahrain' and aims to "send a message of peace".
Although Bahrain and ‘Israel' do not have announced diplomatic relations, covert cooperation has grown between both parties in recent years.
Meanwhile, This Is Bahrain claims on its website it promotes "religious freedom and peaceful co-existence where we all live together in harmony in the spirit of mutual respect and love".
The delegation featured representatives of a number of different religious groups.
"The king sent us with a message of peace to the whole world," a Shia cleric on the trip told Hadashot TV news.
The group on the four-day visit met with ‘Israeli' Communications Minister Ayoob Kara, who said he planned to visit Bahrain soon.
"There will be more surprises in the coming year," said Kara, according to Bloomberg.
"We see great interest among the Gulf states in developing connections with ‘Israel'."
Kara expected to see a regional conference in 2018 to establish ties between the ‘Israeli' entity and Arab countries.
‘Israel' first led a diplomatic mission to Bahrain in 1994. They both share common interests.
An informed diplomatic government source told Middle East Eye in September there were high-level contacts between government officials of both sides focusing on exchange visits between businessmen, influential social and religious figures. That, the source said, would in time be followed by official announcements of business deals between both sides.
The Bahraini delegation's visit comes as much of the Arab world is protesting against the decision by US President Donald Trump to recognize al-Quds as the so-called capital of the ‘Israeli' entity and move the US Embassy to the city.
East al-Quds, which ‘Israel' annexed after capturing it in a 1967 war, is an occupied territory.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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