Israel's first national day reception in Bahrain
-
Event marks the first time Israel has held a national day event in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries
-
5/26/2022
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
GovXParagraph1
Hundreds
of Bahraini government officials and business leaders attended the Israeli
Embassy’s national day event recently to celebrate the close relationship that
has developed between the countries since the signing of the Abraham Accords.
Israeli actor and singer Tsahi Halevi, who starred in the hit television show
Fauda, and Chef Doron Sasson participated in the program. Bahrain’s Ministry of
Interior’s band played the Israeli and Bahraini national anthems. The event
marks the first time that Israel has held a National day event in the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
-
-
GovXParagraph2
This is the first
such event of its kind following the opening of the embassy by Israel’s Foreign
Minister Yair Lapid in September 2021. Ambassador Eitan Na’eh, Israel’s first Ambassador
to the Kingdom, arrived in November 2021.
-
-
GovXParagraph3
The evening
focused on the advancement of the relationship between the two countries and
included a recorded message from Foreign Minister Lapid and speeches Ambassador
Dr. Sheikh Abdallah bin Ahmad Al Khalifa (Undersecretary in Bahrain’s Foreign
Ministry), Ambassador Na’eh as well as a musical performance from Halevi. Chef
Sasson prepared a special menu for the evening offering a fusion of Bahraini
and Israeli dishes. Speeches highlighted the business, cultural and
people-to-people opportunities between Israel and Bahrain.
-
-
-
GovXParagraph4
Heads of major
companies from Israel’s oil and gas, cyber, manufacturing, fintech, high-tech, pharmaceutical/
biotech and logistics sectors were in attendance.
-
-
GovXParagraph5
In his speech, Na’eh
spoke about the vision shared by both governments regarding the opportunities
for both nations and highlighted the economic activity between the two nations
as well as investments and joint ventures which is projected to reach hundreds
of millions within the next few years. He noted that he anticipates hundreds of
millions in volume and emphasized the advantages of agreements in the fields of
medical research, technology and trade. He also spoke about the various Jewish
and Israeli delegations which recently visited Bahrain including YPO and Israel
Bonds who met with Bahrain’s government leaders as well as visited with
business leaders and shared meals in their homes. He highlighted the
opportunities in the higher education, technology and arts and culture space as
well.
-
-
GovXParagraph6
“Our National day
reception shows the authentic, warm and genuine relationship between Israel and
Bahrain – its leadership and people,” said Ambassador Na’eh. “The new Middle
East is built upon a shared desire to cooperate in all areas from security to
sustainable energy, water and food security to tourism and other areas.”
-
-