Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Bahrain's King Hamad Al Khalifa at Al Sakhir Palace on Tuesday during his first visit to the Gulf state.
The pair discussed enhancing links in a variety of sectors between the two nations after the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020. Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad also attended the meeting.
Prince Salman said he was happy to welcome Mr Bennett.
"Peace should be the endeavour for all responsible peoples," an Israeli statement quoted Prince Salman as saying.
"Not that we have ever had a war, but relations between our two countries were not at a level that could be construed as normal. And I think that if we see a wider Middle East that is free from conflict, that is based on principles of mutual respect, understanding, and sharing responsibility towards security, we must do more to get to know one another and build upon the Abraham Accords, which have been such an historic agreement," the crown prince said.
The feeling of positivity appeared mutual, as Mr Bennett thanked Prince Salman for a "warm and generous reception".
"I think our goal in this visit is to turn it from government-to-government to people-to-people peace and to convert it from ceremonies to substance," he said. Sectors of interest, he said, were technology, trade and agriculture.
He spent the morning on Tuesday meeting Bahrain's Jewish community leaders in Manama.
“I come from Israel with goodwill, with warm friendship between the two peoples, and I am sure you can be a remarkable bridge between Bahrain and Israel,” he said.
Mr Bennett also met US Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Adm Brad Cooper during his visit and discussed military co-operation. The Israeli prime minister described the Fifth Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, as “a significant element in maintaining regional stability in the face of various security threats”.
Mr Bennett is scheduled to meet Bahrain's King Hamad.
Mr Bennett was welcomed by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani on Monday at Manama airport, which was decorated with the flags of both countries.
His visit is the latest such initiative after the US-brokered 2020 Abraham Accords, which ran counter to the long-standing Arab consensus that ruled out ties with Israel in the absence of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The trip follows a visit to Manama by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz this month, which resulted in the signing of a defence agreement by the two countries.
That deal covered intelligence, procurement and joint training, with Mr Gantz saying that it further solidified the fledgling diplomatic relationship.
The visit also comes at a time of regional tension over Iran's nuclear programme. Tehran is engaged in negotiations with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia directly, and with the US indirectly, to revive the deal formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, told AFP that Mr Bennett's trip was “absolutely” about Iran.
“In light of the talks in Vienna, it is a show of force, symbolism that the countries are working together,” he said.
Dore Gold, head of the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs, said Israel and Bahrain have been pushed towards closer ties because both are “under threat by Iranian actions".
He pointed to unrest in Bahrain blamed on Iran-backed opposition groups and the range of threats that Israel says Iran poses, notably its arming of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
As part of their defence agreement, Israel is expected to post a naval official in Bahrain, which is the regional base for the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.
Mr Guzansky said that in several respects, Bahrain has been perceived as moving slower than the UAE in terms of consolidating ties with Israel.
He said allowing an Israeli military officer to be based in Bahrain was significant. However, he noted that Bahrain “does not want to be seen as an Israeli base in the Gulf". – AFP contributed to this report
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Read more from Aya Iskandarani
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
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