Israeli PM pledges help to Arab allies in struggle against Iran

MANAMA:  Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has become the first top Israeli leader to officially land in the Persian Gulf kingdom said on Tuesday that Zionist state would confront Iran and its proxies in the region and aid its Arab allies.

"We will fight Iran and its followers in the region night and day. We will aid our friends in strengthening peace, security and stability, whenever we are asked to do so," Bennett told the Bahrain's state owned Al-Ayyam TV in an interview published in Arabic.

Bennett spoke on Tuesday during the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to the small Gulf monarchy. The premier is slated to meet Bahrain's ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the country's crown prince and prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

Bahrain normalized ties with Israel in late 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and Arab states backed by Washington. Bennett visited the other Gulf state in the Abraham Accords, the United Arab Emirates, in December.

Both Israel and Bahrain see Iran as a key threat. Bahrain regime fears Iranian influence over the country's Shia majority, which has been historically excluded from decision-making. Iran has also unofficially backed raging pro-democracy movement in Bahrain over the years.

Asked his opinion on the creation of a formal regional alliance to fight Iran, Bennett appeared supportive. Israeli general Tal Kelman had mentioned the notion in a previous interview with Bahraini media.

"Over recent years, we have strengthened our military cooperation with countries in the region, whether Arab or non-Arab. We all understand that we face the same challenges, so why not work together to tackle them? Israel is a strong and reliable country," Bennett said.

The press in Bahrain is closely controlled by the government, meaning that the interview was likely authorized by state officials before being published.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid flew to Bahrain in September 2021 to open Israel's embassy in Manama. Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited in early February and signed a memorandum of understanding with his Bahraini counterpart that, according to Gantz's office, "will help advance intelligence cooperation, a framework for exercises, and cooperation between the countries' defense industries."

Bennett said he also hoped to discuss advancing tourism and cultural initiatives with Bahraini officials, saying that Israel "wants a warm peace with Bahrain."

"The two peoples will see the fruits of bilateral relations every day," he pledged.

Separately, the premier met Tuesday morning with the local Bahraini Jewish community. Bennett called the Jewish community "family," saying that they play a special role in advancing the normalization process between the Jewish state and Bahrain.

"I come from Israel with goodwill, with warm friendship between the two peoples, and I'm sure you can be a remarkable bridge between Bahrain and Israel," Bennett said, according to Israeli day The Heretz.

Israel's ambassador to Bahrain, Eitan Naeh, Jewish community president Ebrahim Nonoo, and Jewish community member and former Bahraini ambassador to the US Houda Nonoo were also present.

In September, Ebrahim Nonoo led prayer services in Manama's renovated synagogue, bringing Jewish traditions into plain view after decades of worship in private. "We're very happy to be out in the open," Nonoo told AFP at the time.

Bahrain's tiny Jewish community, about 50 people, has practiced its faith behind closed doors since 1947, when the Gulf country's only synagogue was destroyed in disturbances at the start of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

But when Bahrain normalized ties with Israel, it opened everything up, with the small synagogue in the heart of the capital renovated at a cost of $159,000.

Later Tuesday, Bennett met with the commander of the US Fifth Fleet Vice Admiral Bradford Cooper, and praised the cooperation between the US and Israeli militaries, which, he said, contributes to the security of both countries. According to a statement from his office.

Bennett added that the presence of the US Fifth Fleet is a significant factor in maintaining regional stability against various security threats and that he looks forward to increased cooperation between the US's regional allies.

Last week, Channel 13 news reported that Israel will soon send an officer to be a liaison to the Fifth Fleet. Though it denied the report, the IDF indicated the matter was under discussion.