Khaled Yousef Al Jalahma became Bahrain's first ambassador to Israel on Tuesday, a year after a historic deal was signed to normalise ties with Israel.
Under the Abraham Accords, which former US president Donald Trump helped broker in August last year and signed on the White House lawn in September 2020, the UAE and Bahrain agreed to officially establish relations with Israel on condition it suspended the planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank and Jordan Valley.
“The opportunity to fulfil ... King Hamad Al Khalifa’s vision of peaceful coexistence with all nations is a privilege that I will hold in high regard,” Mr Al Jalahma said before landing in Tel Aviv.
The Bahraini diplomat posted pictures on Twitter of his touchdown in the Israeli capital.
"A historic journey in the making accompanied by my wife. We are both very excited!" he said.
Mr Al Jalahma landed at Ben Gurion International Airport where he was greeted by Gil Haskel, chief of state protocol at Israel's Foreign Ministry.
The Bahraini diplomat served as the foreign ministry's director of operations and before that was deputy chief of mission at Bahrain’s embassy to the US from 2009 to 2013.
Last November, Bahrain and Israel agreed to open embassies in their respective capitals.
Israel named Itay Tagner as its charge d'affaires to Bahrain and Eitan Naeh as charge d’affaires to the UAE in January.
In February, Mohamed Al Khaja was named the UAE's first ambassador to Israel.
Last month, Mr Al Khaja took part in an inauguration ceremony in Tel Aviv with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to officially open the Emirati embassy in Israel.
Morocco and Sudan also joined Bahrain and the UAE in officially establishing relations with Israel.
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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