In Bahrain, Bennett pledges to aid country in fight against Iran

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is on a landmark trip to Bahrain, told a local paper in an interview published Tuesday that Israel would confront Iran and its proxies in the region and aid its 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 state-linked Al-Ayyam broadsheet 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’s ruling Sunni minority fears Iranian influence over the country’s Shiite majority, which has been historically excluded from decision-making. Iran has also unofficially backed revolutionary groups in Bahrain over the years.

Israel sees tightening its relationship with its Gulf Arab allies as an important step in its regional struggle with Tehran, Bennett said.

“Iran supports terrorist groups active in your region and in our region for the sake of one goal. Iran seeks to destroy moderate states that care for the welfare of their people and work toward security and peace, replacing them with bloodthirsty terrorist groups,” Bennett charged.

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 with the local Bahraini Jewish community on Tuesday morning. 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.