“The decision of the Bahraini government to appoint an ambassador to Israel is another important step in the implementation of the peace agreement and of the strengthening of ties between the two countries,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. ​

Bahrain and Israel have announced the appointment of the Gulf country’s first-ever ambassador to Israel, following the establishment of formal relations in September as part of the Abraham Accords.

Khalid Al Jalahma, who will head Bahrain’s diplomatic mission to Israel, serves as director of operations at the Bahraini’s foreign ministry and was previously deputy chief of mission at the country’s embassy to the United States from 2009 to 2013.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi spoke on Sunday with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister ‘Abd al-Latif al-Ziani who updated him on the decision of the Bahrain government to open an embassy in Israel and sought Ashkenazi’s approval for the appointment of the ambassador. The appointment was approved after this call.

Ashkenazi welcomed the Bahrain government’s decision and thanked the Bahraini Foreign Minister for his strong friendship, as well as for the courage and leadership of the King of Bahrain, the Israeli foreign ministry said

“The decision of the Bahraini government to appoint an ambassador to Israel is another important step in the implementation of the peace agreement and of the strengthening of ties between the two countries,” said Ashkenazi. ​

In the coming weeks, a team from Bahrain will arrive in Israel to make the necessary arrangements.