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Israel-Bahrain relations

This handout picture released by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) shows, (L-R) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassim al-Budaiwi, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain's King's Personal Representative Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the UAE's Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, posing for a group picture during the 2025 Arab-Islamic emergency summit in Doha on September 15, 2025. (Saudi Press Agency / AFP)
September 23, 2025, 7:47 am
As Abraham Accords turn 5, Israel’s willingness to use its military might becomes concern for allies
Historic agreements have proven resilient during Gaza war, but Jerusalem’s aggressive posture post-October 7 has region wondering if Israel is out to become a hegemon, not partner
By Lazar Berman
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Abdul Lateef Rashid Al Zayani, speaks to journalists in Manama on December 4, 2022. (Lazar Berman/Times of Israel)
August 28, 2025, 6:35 am
Bahrain receives credentials of Israel’s new ambassador to the Gulf kingdom
Bahraini state news agency reports on meeting between FM Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and Shmuel Revel
By Reuters and ToI Staff
From left, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US president Donald Trump, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, sit during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, September 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
September 15, 2024, 11:02 pm
Four years on, Abraham Accords are strained by Gaza war — but prove resilient
The visibility of ties with Bahrain, Morocco and the UAE has changed since Hamas’s attacks on October 7, but Israel’s newest Arab partners remain committed to strategic choice
By Lazar Berman
Bahrain Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa delivers the keynote address at the opening of the three-day IISS Manama Dialogue security conference, in Manama on November 17, 2023. (Mazen Mahdi/AFP)
November 20, 2023, 1:02 pm
Bahrain leader condemns Hamas Oct. 7 onslaught, calls for release of hostages
In address at security conference, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa says international community must work together for peace in Israel and Gaza
By ToI Staff
Bahrain's first-ever ambassador to Israel Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma (C), his wife and President Isaac Herzog (L) after presenting his credentials at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, September 14, 2021. (Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO)
November 2, 2023, 5:25 pm
Bahrain lawmakers vote to recall envoy from Tel Aviv, but Israel says ties stable
Statement by largely powerless parliament says trade frozen, but both Israel’s Foreign Ministry, anonymous senior official stress no formal decision made to pull ambassadors
By Lazar Berman and Jacob Magid
A photo of the first working group meeting of the Negev Forum in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi with the participation of the six founding countries: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Morocco and the United States. (UAE's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry/AFP)
October 12, 2023, 2:42 am
New Arab allies navigate Israel ties, pro-Palestinian public opinion as war erupts
Abraham Accords signatories have been urging the need to protect civilians in conflict, but messaging may change as Israeli strikes on Gaza intensify
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani (right) and Ron Klein, deputy director of International Affairs at the Israel Securities Authority, sign a fintech cooperation agreement, Sept. 4, 2023. (Courtesy)
September 5, 2023, 4:56 pm
Israel and Bahrain regulators ink fintech cooperation deal
Israel Securities Authority will work with the Central Bank of Bahrain to provide regulatory guidance and support to fintech entrepreneurs and startups in both countries
By Sharon Wrobel
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (left) meets with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman Al Khalifa in Manama's Gudaibiya Palace, September 4, 2023 (Shlomi Amsalem/GPO)
September 4, 2023, 5:04 pm
FM Cohen to Bahraini crown prince: We expect normalization with more Arab states
Israel’s top diplomat tours headquarters of US Fifth Fleet, inaugurates new embassy during trip to Manama; Bahrain’s top diplomat reiterates backing for two-state solution
By Lazar Berman
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen attends a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, January 25, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 3, 2023, 12:02 pm
After 9 months without high-level visits, FM Cohen heads to Bahrain
Foreign minister to meet king, Bahraini counterpart, and inaugurate embassy in Manama, after trip was delayed in wake of Ben Gvir’s Temple Mount visit
By Lazar Berman
Jews pray at the entrance to the flashpoint Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem's Old City, during Tisha B'Av, on July 27, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 28, 2023, 8:53 pm
Bahrain postpones plans to host Israeli FM, hours after Ben Gvir tours Temple Mount
Official justification given by Manama is scheduling conflict, but official says far-right minister’s visit to flashpoint site was actual reason
By Jacob Magid
Smoke rises during an Israeli military raid in Jenin on Monday, July 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
July 3, 2023, 6:06 pm
Strained ties with allies could imperil IDF freedom to operate in Jenin
While US, Arab allies understand the need to fight terrorism, the potential for escalation remains high; moreover, operation could be seen as serving far-right
By Lazar Berman
Diplomats from Muslim countries serving in Israel and local Muslim leaders attend an iftar meal hosted by the Israeli Foreign Ministry April 2, 2023. (Sivan Shachor/GPO)
May 3, 2023, 4:55 pm
Gulf ambassadors skipped Foreign Ministry ‘iftar’ to send message – European official
Diplomat says absence of UAE and Bahrain envoys during recent dinner event was intentional, as Israel’s ties with Arab allies have yet to stabilize under Netanyahu government
By Lazar Berman
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, left, Religious Zionism party head Bezalel Smotrich and other party leaders in a group photo after the swearing-in of the 25th Knesset, November 15, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
April 6, 2023, 10:15 am
Is Netanyahu’s government botching the Abraham Accords?
With no high-level visits and growing condemnations from Arab partners, the 2020 pacts are clearly in a slump, but they are here to stay
By Lazar Berman
A Gulf Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft performs a flyover over the racetrack before the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on March 5, 2023. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP)
March 10, 2023, 9:22 pm
With F1 as showcase, Bahrain pushes image of tolerance post-Abraham Accords
Hosting regional reporters for grand prix, Gulf kingdom touts itself as model of ‘modern peaceful coexistence,’ calls normalized ties with Israel key part of foreign policy vision
By Alexander Fulbright
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi (second from L) at a regoinal security conference in Bahrain on February 6, 2023. (Akhbar Al Khaleej)
February 10, 2023, 12:18 am
IDF chief spotted on unannounced visit to Bahrain
In first trip abroad since becoming military head last month, Herzi Halevi attends regional security conference held under auspices of US Central Command
By ToI Staff
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