Knesset convenes to vote on normalization deal with Bahrain

The Knesset is meeting to vote on Israel’s normalization deal with Bahrain.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the parliament ahead of a vote on the treaty.

He’s heckled by Joint List MK Samy Abu Shahadeh, who says the agreement doesn’t include the word normalization, “because they’re embarrassed.”

Responding to the Arab lawmaker, Netanyahu notes the Joint List party voted against the UAE normalization deal last month. Today, “you have an opportunity to fix it.”

“If not today, we’ll give you another chance soon to fix it,” he says, hinting at future deals.

“Bahrain is a small country with big aspirations,” says Netanyahu, hailing its tolerance for its local Jewish community.

Netanyahu says the deals with Bahrain and UAE are “tremendous” for Israel’s economy and shipments from the UAE are arriving daily at the Haifa port. “I recommend you go see it, it’s simply amazing,” he says.

The prime minister says the normalization deals “didn’t fall from the sky,” but are rather a result of Israel’s change of policy rooted in “strength.”

“A strong Israel is bringing Arab countries closer,” he says.

He again says other countries will soon make peace with Israel and align against Iran.

The prime minister also slams Palestinian intransigence on the peace process. He doesn’t mention the death of top Palestinian official Saeb Erekat earlier today.

“I believe the peace deals with the Arab world can eventually wake up the Palestinians, and as a result they will give up their extreme demands, the practical result of which is the destruction of Israel,” he says.

Netanyahu thanks Donald Trump for his support for Israel during his presidency.

He says he’s pleased that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have praised the normalization deal.

Netanyahu also brushes aside criticism that he’s made Israel a partisan issue in the United States, referring to remarks by opposition leader Yair Lapid.

“He’ll explain to me how to uphold relationships with both parties? It’s absurd,” says Netanyahu, underlining his “warm” relationship with Biden.