In a first official visit to Manama, Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, formalizing the security relationship between the two countries. After the signing, Gantz met with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and then with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

A statement issued by the office of Gantz said the agreement will help advance intelligence coordination, providing a framework for exercises and cooperation between the countries’ defense industries. Gantz said at the signing, “The strategic cooperation that we are bringing to a new high point today with the signing of this agreement and with the important meeting with the king is the continuation of the historic Abraham Accords and of the developing relationship between our nations and people. Only a year after the signing of the accords, we are already here signing a significant security agreement, which will allow robust cooperation and strengthen the security of both countries and of the entire region.”

After the ceremony, Gantz tweeted, “It is a great honor for me to be hosted by King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and to sign a historic security cooperation agreement between the two countries with Defense Minister Abdullah Bin Hassan Al Nuaimi. Strengthening and cementing our bilateral ties will enable the expansion of intelligence, operational and industrial cooperation, amid the common challenges our two countries are facing.”

Bahrain is the second Arab country with which Israel has signed a memorandum of understanding for security cooperation. Gantz signed a similar agreement last November with Morocco.