Passover in the desert, new Bahrain ambassador to Israel
A unique Passover took place this year in the United Arab Emirates. Michael Sussman, who attended the event, wrote a piece for the Israel Gulf Report about the first-of-its-kind event. “This was the first Seder in history in the United Arab Emirates that was officially hosted by the Israeli Embassy. It was also the first time Israel had posted an ambassador, Eitan Na’eh, to the UAE, and the first time an Israeli ambassador led the Seder ritual and read the story of Passover in the UAE.” Read his piece here.
Canada’s Ambassador, Marcy Grossman, who personally cohosted and planned the evening, welcomed guests by thanking them for taking a “leap of faith” by attending this one of a kind event. Sussman recalls, “and, to match the diversity of this distinctive event, our inclusive Seder told the story in a way that was clear for everyone to understand and also highlighted the parts that were common to all three religions.”
Passover in the desert (Michael Sussman)
The last two weeks of March 2021 in Israel-Gulf ties have been important. They saw the first attendance of Israelis at an essential humanitarian aid conference. Between March 15 and 17 three important Israeli groups involved in international aid attended Dubai’s International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference. These included MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation at Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Israeli Flying Aid and Save a Child's Heart.
MASHAV, established in 1958, is responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the Sate of Israel’s development cooperation programs & humanitarian assistance efforts. It has trained more than 300,000 people and is active in countries around the world. It was a sponsor of the Dubai event this year. Read more about the event here.
Bahrain announced the name of its first ambassador to Israel. Bahrain's Foreign Minister updated Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on the decision of the Bahrain government to open an embassy in Israel and announced the appointment of Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma (خالد يوسف الجلاهمة) to the post of first Bahraini ambassador to Israel. This important development was covered widely in Israeli media.
"Congratulations to H.E. Ambassador Khalid Yusuf Al-Jalahma on his appointment as Head of Bahrain’s Diplomatic Mission to Israel. I had the opportunity to work with the Ambassador when I was in DC and am excited for him to help usher in this next stage of the Bahrain-Israel relationship," said Ambassador Houda Nonoo. You can read our short report here. Itay Tagner, Head of Mission, Embassy of Israel in Bahrain said "I congratulate H.E. Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma on becoming the Kingdom of Bahrain's first-ever ambassador to Israel. I look forward to working with you and building a strong and continued partnership."
In a move that is not linked to Israel, but to the wider region, the UAE has hailed the first ‘made in the UAE’ vaccine. In a historic development in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Arab Emirates today announced the commencement of the manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccine in the country. A statement announcing the deal noted that "the vaccine, called Hayat-Vax [Hayat means life in Arabic], is the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in the region that will be manufactured by a newly created joint venture between Sinopharm CNBG, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world that has supplied over 100 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine globally, and G42, the leading technology company based in Abu Dhabi." There is a tangential Israel connection here because Group 42 was a pioneer of working with Israeli companies in 2020. Israel’s IAI and Rafael both agreed to work with Group 42 prior to the announcement of the Abraham Accords. Back in July 2020 this was seen as paving the way for the accords. Read more about the deal here.
The Passover event was a highlight of the last two weeks and showcases the continuing importance of laying the groundwork for an active Jewish community in the Gulf, as well as tolerance, coexistence and the role of the new Israeli head of mission in Abu Dhabi. The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities (AGJC), the people-to-people network of Jewish communities from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries that are developing Jewish life in the region, also planned a variety of programming to support and enrich the holiday of Passover for the local Jews. Among the AGJC's significant initiatives for the holiday, the group arranged for the shipment of nearly 650 pounds of matzah to the six GCC countries, along with kosher for Passover food. This follows an important event for Purim and also a unique report on kippahs in Bahrain. Read more here.
Among other important developments are the emergence of the Israel Diamond Exchange offices at the Dubai Multi Commodities Center in Dubai. Seth J. Frantzman interviewed DMCC executive chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem who is an enthusiastic supporter of new trade ties with Israel. Read the interview here. See more details.
Michal Divon at Khaleej Times interviewed Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy discusses the United Arab Emirates strategic partnerships and global view.
UAE Ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba joined analyst Norman Roule on CNBC for an important discussion.
More reports emerged of UAE investment in Israel and also more people-to-people dialogue. See some details on the full value of investments going both ways already. Israel is preparing to receive people flying from the UAE when airports fully reopen and visa processes are fully in order.
Jason Greenblatt tweeted about being back in the UAE. Ambassador Houda Nonoo was recognized for advancing women’s rights.
The UAE and Israel also played a friendly rugby match.