Bahrain yesterday announced it will allow Israeli planes to use its airspace to and from the UAE, following Saudi Arabia’s decision on Wednesday to allow similar flights.
Both moves were reportedly at the request of the UAE, which has already received the first direct flight from Tel Aviv since the two countries normalized relations.
Bahrain will allow “all flights coming to and departing from the United Arab Emirates” to cross through the island kingdom’s airspace. It's a statement apparently allowing Israeli flights after neighboring Saudi Arabia issued a similar announcement. https://t.co/eKYUVrng5R
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 4, 2020
US presidential adviser, Jared Kushner, was on the commercial flight as he toured the region to push other Arab states to normalize ties with Israel.
Although Israel was not named explicitly, Bahrain’s Transport Ministry stated it would allow all flights to the UAE across its airspace. It is understood that in allowing Israel to use its airspace, flights between Tel Aviv and the Emirates will cut the flying time by several hours.
#Israel’s Friends at the #RNC: ‘ #Christian #Zionists’ Dictate the Agenda of the #RepublicanParty by @RamzyBaroud https://t.co/FK0Kl1Qybg via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/qtWxt67oMK
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) September 2, 2020
Bahrain, which earlier this year said that Israel has a right to defend itself, along with Saudi Arabia, does not presently have diplomatic ties with Israel and has recently declared its opposition to normalization without Palestinian statehood.
Due to shared concerns over Iran’s influence in the region, Gulf States are increasingly normalizing relations with Israel, cooperating against a perceived threat from Teheran.
First Commercial #Flight between #Israel and #UAE Lands in #AbuDhabi (VIDEO) https://t.co/MXgODFjL6a via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/X4zXN64HOi
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) August 31, 2020
On August 13, Israel and the UAE have reached a deal that is expected to lead to “full normalization of relations” between the Arab nation and Israel in an agreement that US President Donald Trump reportedly helped broker.
The agreement is considered a severe blow to Palestinian efforts aimed at isolating Israel regionally and internationally until it ends its military occupation and apartheid-like system in occupied Palestine.
(Palestine Chronicle, MEMO, Social Media)
