Netanyahu: ‘We Are On The Threshold Of A New Era’

JERUSALEM (JTA) – Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a gathering of ministers on Sunday of his “warm conversation” on Friday with U.S. President Donald Trump and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to discuss the “establishment of peaceful relations” between Jerusalem and Manama.

At the opening of the weekly Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu also referred to the “Abraham Accord,” the U.S.-sponsored treaty with the United Arab Emirates, to be signed in Washington on Tuesday.

“We now have two historic peace agreements, with two Arab countries, which were established in one month,” said the Israeli premier.

“We are on the threshold of a new era,” he declared. “I want to promise you that each and every one of you, through your ministries, will be part of it because this is going to be a different kind of peace.”

Netanyahu continued: “This will be a warm peace—economic peace in addition to the diplomatic peace—also peace between peoples.”

“There will be brisk traffic in direct air links between the countries,” he added, alluding to the recent announcement by the Israeli airline Israir that it is planning to launch Tel Aviv-Dubai flights beginning in October. “The great excitement that exists in the country is also reflected in the very great excitement in Bahrain and the UAE among the public at large. There truly is a great change here.”