Oman praised Bahrain’s decision to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the second Gulf Arab state to normalise such ties after the UAE.
The sultanate said it expected the move to be a step towards building Palestinian-Israeli peace.
"We hope this new strategic path taken by some Arab countries will contribute to bringing about a peace based on an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and on establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital," the government said on Sunday.
Oman has long played a quiet role in fostering negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians and has expressed the need for a Palestinian state while also acknowledging a need for an Israeli state.
Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullatif Al Zayani and his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi spoke by phone on Saturday, a day after the decision to normalise relations was announced. They emphasised the need to move relations forward to promote peace and stability in the region, Bahrain's foreign ministry said.
The UAE and Israel agreed to normalise relations last month, reshaping Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran.
The agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, was announced after a phone conversation between US President Donald Trump, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The UAE agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for the suspension of Israel's plan to annex large parts of Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
Israel's intelligence minister said at the time that Oman could be the next Arab state to formalise ties with the country, but the sultanate has yet to comment on the matter.
Mr Netanyahu made a historic visit to Oman in 2018 and held talks with Sultan Qaboos bin Said in the first such meeting in more than 20 years.
The late ruler invited Mr Netanyahu to visit after lengthy communications.
Oman, which sits on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, with Saudi Arabia on its eastern border and Iran to the north, has a long record of being a quiet broker in the region, opting to stay on the sidelines of the rivalry between the two regional powers.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Scoreline
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17
Jebel Ali Dragons 20
Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson
Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
