Israel began buying aluminum from Bahrain

CAIRO — Israel began importing aluminum from Bahrain, Manama-based newspaper al-Ayam reported on Sunday, citing an interview with Eitan Na’eh, the Israeli ambassador to the Gulf Arab monarchy.

Na’eh was appointed as Israel’s first ambassador to Bahrain in 2021, a year after the two states agreed to normalize relations. Aluminum Bahrain is one the largest smelters in the Middle East region.

The envoy did not specify the quantities or the value of Israel’s aluminum imports from Bahrain.Israel’s airline El Al should start flights to Manama soon, Na’eh said, according to the newspaper. Bahrain’s Gulf Air in September announced the launch of direct flights to Tel Aviv.

The two countries are also planning to sign an agreement that allows the transhipment of goods arriving by sea in Bahrain onto planes heading to Israel, the envoy said.