Bahrain trade delegation expected in Israel next month
The delegation would include Bahraini business leaders, who would meet with their Israeli counterparts, as well as a meeting with Economy Minister Amir Peretz.
By LAHAV HARKOVIsraeli government delegation signs an agreement with Bahraini officials in Manama, Bahrain, October 18, 2020(photo credit: REUTERS/HAMAD I MOHAMMED)
A trade delegation from Bahrain is expected to arrive in Israel in the near future. Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani led the first-ever official delegation from his country to Israel on Wednesday.The delegation will include Bahraini business leaders, who plan to meet with their Israeli counterparts and Economy Minister Amir Peretz.The trip is still being planned and is expected to take place in two or three weeks, Army Radio reported.Al Zayani was in Jerusalem on Wednesday and did not visit Tel Aviv. However, the Bahraini Foreign Ministry’s statements on the visit said he was in Tel Aviv and did not mention Jerusalem.One of those statements referred to “Bahrain’s approval of the request by Tel Aviv to open an embassy in Manama,” as though Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel and not Jerusalem.The statements falsely said the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the President’s Residence and the Prime Minister’s Office are in Tel Aviv.Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi plans to visit Manama on December 4, which would make him the first Israeli minister to pay an official visit to Bahrain.Ashkenazi agreed to attend the 2020 Manama Dialogue on December 4-6, a summit of ministers from across the region hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.“I promise to come to Manama very soon to continue our constructive dialogue started today and to promote conversation between our countries and leaders,” he said.Ashkenazi expressed hope that Israel will open its embassy in Bahrain by the time he visits.
