Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has expressed support for an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, in a prerecorded address for this year's virtual UN General Assembly.
Bahrain agreed to normalize relations with Israel two weeks ago following a similar move by the United Arab Emirates in August.
The King said Thursday a two-state solution is the way forward.
“This would usher in a new era of cooperation and good neighborliness to build and promote common interests in the countries in the region,” he said.
The King expressed “deep appreciation for the pioneering role and hard work” of Saudi Arabia led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, “not only in terms of laying the foundations for security and peace in the region and the world as a whole, in a manner that takes into account the interest of all parties, but also for the remarkable and influential efforts made during its current presidency of the G20 to formulate a ‘new decade’, in which the aspirations of the peoples of the world for prosperity and stability will be fulfilled.”
The Bahraini King also commended the UAE’s decision to formalize ties with Israel as a courageous, successful and commendable step. He said the UAE’s move, which suspended Israeli annexation of West Bank land sought by the Palestinians, “promoted a chance for peace and opened a new page for people of the region.”
