US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Bahrain and Israel have agreed to a peace deal. The US president announced the deal following a three-way phone call he had with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The three leaders also issued a brief six-paragraph joint statement, attesting to the deal. "This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East," the United States, Bahrain and Israel said in a joint statement. "Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region," the statement read. Last month, the United Arab Emirates agreed to normalize ties with Israel under a US-brokered deal. "Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal - the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!" Trump tweeted. Bahrain has also accepted Trump's invitation to join the United Arab Emirates and Israel at a signing ceremony on Sept. 15 at the White House, where Israeli and Bahraini officials will sign the historic peace deal between their countries. The deal makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel since exchanging embassies with Egypt and Jordan decades ago. In his reaction to the deal, the Israeli premier said: "For many long years, we invested in peace, and now peace will invest in us, will bring about truly major investments in the economy." Meanwhile, a senior Bahrain official said the Israel deal will boost regional security, stability, prosperity. — Agencies
