New Delhi: Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday reached Bahrain to attend a power-packed official Israeli visit to the Gulf state for the first time ever since the two nations established the Abraham Accords.
Lapid will inaugurate Israel's embassy in Manama and hold talks with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif al-Zayani. Both the leaders are also expected to sign a list of bilateral agreements.
To mark the day, the Israel embassy in New Delhi will organise a media briefing on October 6 on "1 year anniversary of the Abraham Accords". It will be presented by Eliav Benjamin, Head of Bureau, Middle East and Peace Process division at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (UAE) normalised their bilateral relations with Israel last year in a deal known as the "Abraham Accords" that is based on shared business interests and worries about Iran
"We've landed in Bahrain. I'm proud to represent Israel in an official and historic first in the kingdom. Thanks for the warm reception," Lapid said on Twitter.
What Are Abraham Accords?
The Abraham Accords are a joint statement between the state of Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years that was signed on August 13, 2020.
The term was used to refer collectively to agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, respectively.
Ever since the deals were signed, Israel and the three countries have opened embassies, launched direct flights, and boosted economic ties.