Bahraini Finance Minister and royal Salman bin Khalifa beseeched the Saudis not to let the war in Gaza to prevent the region’s growing connection to Israel.
Salman bin Khalifa, the Foreign Minister of Bahrain and a Bahraini royal, arrived today in Saudi Arabia (Wednesday), where a central, international economic conference of the gulf and regional states is taking place. He came to the conference to speak to senior leaders of regional Sunni countries and senior members of the Saudi royal family. Khalifa beseeched the Saudis not to delay or reconsider the economic connection of Israel to the region, insisting that they not let Gaza prevent the progress in the region.
Salman bin Khalifa told the Saudis and media outlets that “we should not allow the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza to interrupt the economic integration formed in the region after the Abraham Accords between Bahrain and the United Emirates with Israel.”
Bin Khalifa further argued to the Saudis that “the continued regional connection and creation of bridges between the regional forces is important and critical for the progress of the region.”
Bahrain was the first country after the United Emirates to join the Abraham Accords, and even took part in the celebratory signing at the White House in 2020. It has since taken an important part in a series of contacts and deals between Israel and countries in the region.