King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain met with Israeli President Isaad Herzog on Sunday, in the first visit by an Israeli president to the Gulf kingdom.
Both countries normalised relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements between Israel, Bahrain and the UAE, and later Morocco, intended to enhance peace and regional security.
In March, the countries were joined by Egypt at the Negev summit, which discussed ways to enhance co-operation in a number of sectors. Israel and the UAE say their bilateral trade could reach $10 billion in the next five years, after signing a historic free trade deal in June.
Bahrain and Israel are also in the process of negotiating a free trade agreement.
Further agreements, between Israel, Egypt, the UAE and Jordan, were finalised at the Cop27 summit in Sharm El Sheikh last month, encompassing seawater desalination and green energy.
King Hamad said that Bahrain supports "achieving a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and that will lead to stability, development and prosperity for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, as well as all peoples of the region," the Bahrain News Agency said.
Mr Herzog said on Twitter he welcomed King Hamad's "vision of peace, friendship and tolerance".
"My visit underscores the importance Israel attaches to relations with Bahrain, including partnerships on defence, trade, tourism and environment," he said.
Outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid, then Israel's top diplomat, visited Bahrain in September last year to open the Israeli embassy there.
In February, Israel signed a defence agreement with Bahrain and Naftali Bennett became the first Israeli premier to visit the country.
Mr Herzog said on Sunday he would follow his stop in Bahrain with a visit to Abu Dhabi.
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Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
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Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Lexus LX700h specs
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Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
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Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
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