Bahrain’s King Hamad and Israel’s President Herzog Hold First Public Call Since Oct 7

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israel’s President Isaac Herzog conducted a telephone conversation, the first publicly announced contact between the two leaders since the Oct 7 attacks in 2023. The call focused on recent regional and international developments, reaffirming cooperation under the Abraham Accords and discussing ways to promote security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

The leaders also referenced broader diplomatic activity, noting parallel efforts by the United States to restart talks with Iran and the United States’ decision, at the time, not to expand military operations against Tehran. Both sides expressed optimism about continuing bilateral collaboration and supporting the peace process in the region.