Bahrain and Israel agree to establish full diplomatic relations

UAE welcomes historic move and Bahrain will now join the Emirates in signing the Abraham Accord at the White House on Tuesday

US President Donald Trump has announced a "peace deal" between Israel and Bahrain. AFP

Bahrain joined the UAE in striking an agreement to normalise relations with Israel.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation commended the move, expressing its hope that establishing relations would have a positive effect on the climate for peace and co-operation regionally and internationally.

The ministry also noted that the move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity, underscoring that it would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific and diplomatic avenues of co-operation.

Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif Al-Zayani and Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi held a phone call on Saturday, the Bahrain foreign ministry announced, after the normalisation of relations the day before.

The ministers stressed the need to move relations forward to promote peace and stability in the region, it said.

Mr Al Zayani, speaking to Sky News Arabia on Saturday, said "our goal is to establish peace, security and stability in the region".

"The peace agreement is a step towards restoring the rights of the Palestinian people and working to embody the Arab initiative," he said.

"Bahrain's declaration of support for peace aims to contribute to building a stable and secure Middle East."

President Donald Trump tweeted the news on Friday after he spoke by phone to Bahrain's King Hamad and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.

A statement issued by the three leaders said they had agreed on "establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain".

The statement was also tweeted by Mr Trump.

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner hailed the agreement as "a historic breakthrough for the president and for the world and for the two countries".

My Kushner emphasised the significance of the accord coming on the anniversary of 9/11.

“This is a culmination of four years of great work ... the president secured alliances to do that,” he said.

Mr Kushner said a Bahraini delegation will sign the agreement during Tuesday's White House ceremony where the UAE-Israel peace accord will be ratified.