Israeli PM Naftali Bennett visits Bahrain

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is flying to the Gulf state of Bahrain on Monday, cementing ties between the new allies in a clear message of cooperation aimed at regional archrival Iran.

Bennett's trip to the Gulf is the first public visit by an Israeli prime minister to Bahrain, and comes less than two weeks after the countries signed a defense agreement  with an eye on rising tensions in the Gulf.

The visit also comes as nuclear talks between world powers and Iran are dragging on in Vienna.

Israel and Bahrain agreed to normalise ties in 2020 as



part of the US-brokered “Abraham Accords,” which also saw Israel establish relations with the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Sudan.Bennett travelled to the UAE late last year.

Bennett's office said he would meet with Bahrain's crown prince and prime minister and discuss “the importance of peace, advancement and prosperity in the region, and especially the advancement of diplomatic and economic issues, with an emphasis on technology and innovation.”  Overshadowing Bennett's trip to Bahrain are rising regional tensions.