Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received the head of diplomatic mission to Israel. Ambassador Khaled Yousef Al-Jalahmah took the oath before the King. With the move, Al-Jalahmah has officially been appointed as Bahrain’s envoy to Israel.
In fact, the royal decree appointing Al-Jalahmah as Bahrain’s envoy to Israel was issued in March. The decree was hailed by then-Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who said, “The decision of the Bahraini government to appoint an ambassador to Israel is another important step in the implementation of the peace agreement and of the strengthening of ties between the two countries.”
Bahrain is yet to establish an embassy in Tel Aviv although Israel already has an embassy residence in Manama.
Ambassador Jalahmah is an experienced diplomat who served as the deputy ambassador to the United States and held several other senior positions in the Bahraini diplomatic service.
Bahraini state media reported his appointment through a statement, which read: “His Majesty congratulated Ambassador Al Jalahma, expressed his lofty directives to him, wishing him success in promoting Bahrain’s noble message of peace and the values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”
On the other hand, the move came after the two countries’ foreign ministers held talks in Rome on Sunday. It was the first meeting between the two since the new Israeli government took office earlier this month. Speaking to the media following the meeting, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said, “the relationship between Israel and Bahrain is important and significant for the two countries, and we will continue to strengthen and deepen it for the benefit of both nations.”
Meanwhile, the announcement coincided with the visit of the Israeli minister to the UAE. Minister Lapid embarked on his two-days visit to the Gulf country on Tuesday. During his first official visit, Lapid opened Israel’s embassy in Abu Dhabi. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Israeli Minister said, “This is a historic moment and a reminder that history is written by human beings.”
