[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 28 (Friday, February 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING ISRAEL-BAHRAIN SECURITY COOPERATION AGREEMENT

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 11, 2022

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend the historic 
signing of the security cooperation agreement between Israel and 
Bahrain, which took place on February 3, 2022. This security agreement 
is the first of its kind between Israel and a Gulf nation.
  Since Bahrain signed the 2020 Abraham Accords and took the important 
step of normalizing relations with Israel, the two countries have 
significantly deepened their bilateral relationship. Israeli Defense 
Minister Benny Gautz travelled to Manama, Bahrain's capital, to sign 
this agreement and celebrates the agreement as ``a new high point'' in 
the countries' relationship.
  The MoU agreement is designed to help advance intelligence 
cooperation, establish a framework for military exercises and 
strengthen ties between the countries' defense industries. As Israel 
and Bahrain continue to strengthen their cooperation, the signing of 
this memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a key step.
  This historic agreement comes at a time of increased danger in the 
region as Iran continues to threaten the security of its neighbors. The 
MoU will help deepen regional security cooperation and resilience, 
which is critical to defending the interests of the United States, 
Israel, Bahrain, and many other countries in the region.

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