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Israel’s president in UAE after historic visit to Bahrain
December 05, 2022
Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered a keynote speech today at the Abu Dhabi Space Debate, which brought together national and industry leaders to discuss their collective challenges and opportunities. He also met with Emirati President Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nhayan. Herzog had visited the Emirates last year, opening the Israeli pavilion at the 2020 Dubai Expo.
"I am proud of the important partnerships that the State of Israel has created and is developing in the field of space, including the historic partnership with the United Arab Emirates, which is manifested, among other things, in joint environmental research based on satellite data and the future of promoting solutions to the challenges facing both countries, the region, and the family of nations. For us, the sky is no longer the limit," Herzog tweeted upon landing in Abu Dhabi.
Herzog arrived in Abu Dhabi today from Manama, where he conducted the first-ever visit to the country by an Israeli president. The visit took place more than two years after the two countries signed the Abraham Accords normalizing diplomatic relations. "This is another historic step in the relationship between Israel and Arab states, signed with the Abraham Accords, and another step toward more and more nations joining the circle of peace with the State of Israel," Herzog said before departing for Manama.
The visit reportedly centered on the business potential between the two nations. A large Israeli delegation of businesspeople accompanied Herzog. Bahrain’s embassy in Israel noted yesterday that the goal of the visit was to strengthen relations between the two countries and further the historic Abraham Accords. Neither Herzog nor his hosts made public reference to the Iranian threat.
Herzog was received by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa with all honors before meeting with the small Jewish community in Bahrain. He tweeted afterward, "Pleased to meet the small, flourishing, ancient Jewish community here in Bahrain. We discussed the challenges, opportunities and future of the community. Religious tolerance is a supreme value here in Bahrain, for which we thank the Kingdom of Bahrain."
Later on, Herzog and the Israeli delegation met with the Bahrain Economic Development Board. Herzog tweeted, "Israeli-Bahraini economic cooperation will continue to benefit both our countries through investment, employment, opening up new markets and many diverse areas of business and trade."
Not all Bahrainis were pleased with Herzog’s visit. Demonstrations were allowed the day before, but not on the day of Herzog’s arrival. On Friday, protesters in Bahrain chanted “death to Israel.” Several small rallies against the visit took place across Bahrain. The Israeli press reported that protesters were affiliated with opposition groups apparently supported by Iran.
The visit went smoothly in terms of security. Prior to the visit, reports said Israel feared Iran or its proxies will try to disturb it. In January, when Herzog visited Abu Dhabi, the Houthi rebels in Yemen fired a missile at the country in what was perceived as an attempt to disrupt the festive occasion.