On Sunday, we witnessed a completely different future being shaped and a transitional moment in history between two Bahrain and Israel, when major memorandums of understanding that were signed.
The signing of several agreements for cooperation on various levels complements the signing of a peace agreement at the White House, a historical event that was made possible by US President Donald Trump and the strong willpower and peaceful approach of the leadership and governments of both countries.
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Bahrain and Israel are friends. I could have never imagined living and witnessing this reality of which, as a Bahraini citizen I am so proud.
I hope that through these few words I can convey to our readers what these agreements mean to Bahrainis who have always believed that civilizations are built on love, culture, and education; and that bilateral relations are built on understanding and trust.
For decades, we never had the opportunity to get to know each other, and politics caused a huge rift that we could have never imagined would one day come to an end.
Today I get to share my feelings and address the people of Israel through the press and specifically this esteemed newspaper.
Bahrain and Israel will, from this moment on, share unique relations through official diplomatic ties and cooperation in various areas, including tourism and economy and security.
Both nations are small, yet big in achievements and accomplishments; nations that have left huge footprints on the international stage on all levels.
We congratulate Prime Minister Netanyahu for his wise vision and thank US President Trump and his administration for making these extremely significant and friendly relations between Bahrain and UAE with Israel happen.
The signing of the memorandums of understanding will rapidly bolster the accord between the two countries, to transform it into an economic, technological, tourism and security deals.
And this could have never happened without one man who we, as a people, absolutely love and believe in: Our beloved King Hamad bi Isa al-Khalifa, who has always shared with us wise words with in-depth messages about how coexistence and embracing everyone is important.
The source of his majesty's pride has always been that our country has respected and embraced people of different races, nationalities, and religions that have peacefully coexisted and built this country.
Our king always added that the peaceful existence enables the people of Bahrain to strengthen humane interactions with others and this enabled it to become an embracing country and a meeting point for all religions and beliefs.
King Hamad created a country that where Muslim families decorate Christmas trees and Hanukah is celebrated, a country where if invited to a Shabbat dinner, we all enjoy the deep meaning of sitting together as Muslims and Jews around one table and breaking bread.
King Hamad created a nation where Diwali is celebrated and where Muslims invite all other friends of other religions to celebrate Eid al adha and Eid al fitr.
And we as people, want to see all this happen and be built on a strong foundation, especially during this transitional period that the two countries go through after decades during which had no relationship of any type.
And while doing that and moving forward, we all urge the Palestinian people to choose leaders that can defend the case for peace in a highly ethical manner, in order to assure that the rights of both the Israeli and Palestinian people are protected. Instead of wasting time and calling peace lovers traitors, the Palestinians should put their house in order.
No one can be left behind as we move forward – this is what a peace agreement is all about. And as we move forward, we also send an especially important message: Coexistence and peace are key to the future and no nation can develop and progress without a peaceful strategy towards its neighbors and friends.
Iran, Hezbollah, and the Muslim Brotherhood will continue to flex their muscles and place obstacles in our path, but I sincerely believe that our two nations are strong enough to face and eventually eradicate their enemies.
There is no place for extremist ideologies and regimes, and sooner or later we will witness the downfall of the evil forces in the the Middle East.
Decades of unacceptance have yielded nothing but regional destabilization and have given rise to terrorist groups and countries that sponsor terrorism. Today, everything is changing and this change has to start at home, where our children learn to love, communicate with others, and respect others' opinions, but also where they learn that their countries can only be stable and a safe haven when you fight extremism without holding a weapon, rather by embracing a way of thinking that creates a better future for all.
Finally, thanks to our heroes, his Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, US President Donald Trump, and with great honor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. History will always remember you as the Middle east's new heroes.
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