Israel and the Gulf state of Bahrain agreed to normalize relations in a major diplomatic breakthrough brokered by President Donald Trump.
In a joint statement, Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa called the agreement “historic.”
“Opening dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region,” the statement said.
It added that the parties would continue with their efforts to “achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The announcement on the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks came less than a week before Trump hosts a White House ceremony to mark the establishment of full relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.❐
nbcnews
