Israel sends treaty delegation to Bahrain with Trump aides

Bahrain followed the United Arab Emirates in agreeing last month to normalise ties with Israel, stunning Palestinians who had demanded statehood before any such regional rapprochement.

The breakthrough, overseen by the US President Donald Trump, is a foreign policy flourish ahead of his reelection bid next month. For the US allies, it is a chance to close ranks more overtly on Iran.

Sunday’s delegation, led by Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, will be accompanied by the U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, whose office said the mission seeks ‘expanded economic cooperation’ among Israel, Bahrain and UAE.

An official involved in the visit said Israel and Bahrain would sign a communique upgrading their relationship: from the declaration of intent delivered at a White House ceremony on Sept. 15 to a formal establishment of ties.

The delegates travel to Manama on El Al flight 973, a nod to Bahrain’s telephone code. The Israeli airliner will overfly Saudi Arabia, an accommodation by the Gulf powerhouse that has so far resisted US appeals to normalise ties with Israel.

The Israel deal drew anger among Bahrainis at home and abroad. Manama has said the deal protects its interests from Iran.