At the conclusion of his visit to Bahrain, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that he is seeking to establish a new regional structure with what he called the moderate Arab countries to stand in the face of what he described as enemies who stir up chaos and terrorism, while demonstrations took place in the Bahraini capital, Manama, condemning Bennett's visit.

Yesterday, Tuesday, Bennett described his two-day visit to Manama as an opportunity to form a common position against Iran and its allies such as the Houthis in Yemen, and added in press statements, "We are trying to form a new regional structure for moderate countries to achieve stability and economic prosperity, and to be able to stand firmly in the face of the enemies who They create chaos and panic."

The Israeli Prime Minister's statements came after his meeting on Tuesday in Manama with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during the first visit of an Israeli prime minister to Bahrain.

"Warm Peace"

A statement issued by Bennett's office stated that the Israeli and Bahraini governments agreed to build a bilateral plan called the "Warm Peace Strategy", which would prioritize the sectors of food security, water, energy, trade and investment.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani said that the two sides discussed the political and security situation in the region, and the challenges facing their countries, including the Iranian nuclear file, terrorism and extremism.

The Bahraini foreign minister added that Bennett extended an invitation to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, to visit Israel, adding that the Crown Prince accepted the invitation, which will take place in the near future, according to what was reported by the Bahrain News Agency.

Prime Minister Bennett extended an official invitation to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, to visit Israel.

— Prime Minister of the State of Israel (@Israelipm_ar) February 15, 2022

Bennett also met with a number of Bahraini ministers, including Defense Minister Abdullah bin Hassan al-Nuaimi, and the Prime Minister's Office said, "The two sides discussed ways to take advantage of the geographical advantages of Israel and Bahrain - among other things - to facilitate the movement of goods between Asia and Europe."

The Israeli Prime Minister also met with the commander of the US Fifth Fleet, Admiral Brad Cooper, who is based in Bahrain. The US military official said that the US Navy is considering engaging Israeli boats in its joint operations in the Middle East, in a move that may deepen Israel's growing role in military arrangements in the region.

Protests and arrests

Yesterday, Tuesday, there were demonstrations in the Bahraini capital condemning the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister to the Gulf country, who normalized his relations with Tel Aviv in September 2020 after mediation by the United States.

The protesters chanted slogans rejecting normalization, and criticized the Bahraini government's decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv. The demonstrators also confirmed their support for the Palestinian cause.

Al-Wefaq Islamic Society in Bahrain criticized the visit of the Prime Minister of Israel to the Kingdom, considering it a betrayal of the country, and the association said - in a statement published on its Twitter account - that the visit represented "a transgression of all norms and covenants."

And Reuters news agency reported that Bahraini opposition activists said yesterday that the authorities arrested at least 4 people during protests the day before yesterday, Monday, in several Bahraini villages, which came out to object to Bennett's visit.

Bahrain |

Despite the strict security measures, an angry demonstration in the center of the capital, Manama, condemning the visit of the Zionist Prime Minister to Bahrain - February 15, 2022 # Bahrain_rejects_Zionism #normalization_betrayal #Al-Wefaq #Bahrain #Bahrain pic.twitter.com/dQfmN9sLio

— Alwefaq Society (@ALWEFAQ) February 15, 2022

The Bahrain government's communications office has not yet responded to a Reuters request for comment on the news of the arrests.

agreement and deal

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Bahrain earlier this month and signed a defense agreement with the kingdom. Tel Aviv is also preparing to send a naval officer to station in the Gulf state in order to coordinate with the US Fifth Fleet.

On the third of this month, the Israel Defense website revealed that Bahrain had purchased anti-aircraft radar systems from an Israeli company. The website indicated that the deal was signed in the second half of 2021, and delivery is expected during the current year.