Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met today with Bahraini King Hamid bin Issa al Khalifa at the royal palace in Manama. It was a first public meeting between an Israeli official and the Bahrain monarch. Reports in Israeli media said the two discussed several security issues, first and foremost Iran. They also discussed the development of bilateral economic ties. Shortly after the meeting, Lapid tweeted in Hebrew, Arabic and English, “Thank you to the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, on a historic, warm, and hopeful meeting. His Majesty’s leadership and inspiration have led to true cooperation and our meeting outlined the path forward for our relationship.”
Israel’s foreign minister arrived at Manama this morning, Sept. 30, aboard an IsrAir plane with the word "Shalom" depicted on it. Upon landing, Lapid was warmly welcomed at the tarmac by Bahraini senior officials. Soon after his arrival, Lapid met with the crown prince, Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al Khalifa, and with Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. After the meeting with the crown prince, Lapid tweeted, “Thank you for the privilege of being here today and of together, taking another step in building our relationship in the model of partnership and coexistence between cultures and religions.”
