Bahrain, Israel mull direct telephone lines after normalisation agreement

Israel and Bahrain are looking to cooperate on direct telecoms links despite local opposition.
1 min read
22 September, 2020
Israeli and Bahraini ministers extended invitations for official visits to discuss joint telecoms [Getty]
Israeli and Bahraini officials on Monday looked into establishing direct telephone lines to promote further communication and cooperation between the two countries, after striking a normalisation deal.

Israel's Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel discussed the joint telecomms plans with his Bahraini counterpart Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, according to Israeli media. The two reportedly also mulled working together on cyber and satellite communications.

The Israeli and Bahraini officials extended invitations to visit each other's countries, The Jerusalem Post reported.

The recent talks come after Bahrain and the UAE signed US-backed normalisation deals with Israel at the White House last week.

The two Gulf countries broke decades of consensus among Arab states that there would be no relations with Israel until Palestinian statehood had been assured. 

The so-called "peace deals" have angered Palestinians, who consider the move a betrayal from the Arab nations. Before Bahrain and the UAE, only Egypt and Jordan had diplomatic relations with Israel.

Since announcing the deal, Bahrain has faced internal opposition with dozens taking to the streets in a rare displays of dissent against the autocratic government.


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