Outgoing Israeli ambassador to Bahrain highlights strong ties as proof that 'peace works'

Outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Bahrain, Eitan Na’eh, made history by becoming Israel's first envoy to the Arab Gulf state following the signing of the Abraham Accords in September 2020.

Despite many challenges over the last four years, including the ongoing Gaza War, he hails the bilateral relations between Israel and Bahrain as a success story against all odds.

“We have stood the worst test to the relationship, we maintained our relationship, we maintained a high level of dialogue,” Na’eh declared.

The Israeli envoy noted that his farewell meeting with the Bahraini Prime Minister and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa earlier this month received positive coverage in local Bahraini media.

“They actually put it out to the public eye, so I think we should see this very positively,” Na’eh stated. “The Bahrainis are not shy about their relationship with us.”

However, the Israeli envoy acknowledged that the Bahrainis have expressed concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during Israel's war against Hamas.

“They tell us what they think,” Na’eh said, “but on the other hand, they listen with respect to the Israeli perspective,” he added.

In November 2023, Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa became the first Arab leader to publicly condemn the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis, predominantly women, children and elderly civilians.

“I condemn Hamas unequivocally,” Al Khalifa told Arab, U.S. and European officials at the annual “Manama Dialogue” conference, a leading regional security and defense summit.

Looking back on his tenure in Bahrain, Na’eh said the “best achievement” was “our ability to maintain the dialogue from the highest levels in Jerusalem to the same levels here.”

“The hostages are always mentioned,” Na’eh added, referring to the Israeli hostages who were captured by terrorists during the Oct. 7 attack.

Reflecting on the past four years, he said that bilateral relations have been overwhelmingly positive and mutually beneficial.

“We are putting a very exciting period behind us. I think it has been a privilege to be part of the implementation of the historic Abraham Accords… Over the past four years, we have created hundreds of contacts, run several events and hosted high-level visits,” Na’eh stated.

The outgoing envoy emphasized that the stressed that the growing ties between Israel and Bahrain were made possible only through the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords.

“This could not have happened without the Abraham Accords,” Na’eh said. “I hope the accords will be expanded to more countries at the right time, but a lot has already been achieved.”

Bilateral trade between Bahrain and Israel has increased dramatically during Na'eh's tenue, surging to $16.8 million in June 2024 – a 740% increase from June 2023.

In January 2021, Israel's national water company, Mekorot, was negotiating to sign a preliminary water desalination technology agreement with Bahrain, which is largely desert and one of the world’s most water-stressed countries.

Bilateral trade has continued to grow despite the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Na’eh believes that the future trade potential is even greater.

“Because of the war, we were busy fighting on eight fronts and focused on what was more urgent. Business is still on the table and we will get back to it,” he added.

Looking ahead, the outgoing ambassador predicts that the relationship between Israel and Bahrain will become even stronger once the Gaza War ends.

“I hope the hostages will return, Hamas will leave Gaza, our conditions will be met, so that the potential of the Israel-Bahrain relationship will also move forward.”

“I think the message we try to bring over here is that peace works both ways for the benefit of both people,” Na’eh noted.

“Peace is not a piece of paper. Peace is a way to security and economic prosperity.”