President Isaac Herzog received the credentials of the new ambassadors of Mexico, Estonia, Spain, Greece, Vatican City, and for the first time Bahrain, upon the assumption of their ambassadorial duties to Israel.   The incoming ambassadors presented their letters of credence arriving to a red carpet ceremony at the Beit Hanasi, the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. on Tuesday morning September 14th.

The ambassadors were greeted by the IDF Orchestra playing their respective national anthems and then proceeded to inspect the IDF honor guard. After presenting their letters of credence to President Herzog, the ambassadors went to private meetings, then signed the new official guest book of the President’s Residence. Masks were required to be worn in Beit Hanasi, only removed briefly for photos. As the officials left the building, they stopped and stood as Hatikvah was played.


The sixth and final accreditation of the day was with the ambassador of Bahrain, on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords and the normalization of Bahrain-Israel relations. After the brief ceremony, President Herzog held a diplomatic working meeting with the new ambassador of Bahrain, H.E. Mr. Khaled Yusuf Al Jalahma. They then raised a toast (with a glass of orange juice) not white wine like with the previous ambassadors, before delivering joint statements to the press in the main hall.

President Herzog addressed the ambassador of Bahrain: “Brave states take brave steps. The Abraham Accords were the fruit of both vision and power. The growing partnership between our countries is a model for the whole Middle East, and I hope that other states in our region will be inspired by your example.”

Herzog continued, "At this point in time, as new, credible reports are coming in of Iran's progress toward nuclear weapons capacity, it is more important than ever to be united in our struggle against extremist forces working to undermine stability and peace in our region.”

Ambassador Khaled Yusuf Al Jalahma responded: “Peace is the strategic choice of the Kingdom of Bahrain… His Majesty the King believes that dialogue, understanding, and building confidence are lofty principles and main foundations for achieving cooperation between nations and peoples… I am confident that this historic step will lay a solid foundation for relations between our two countries, based on the values of tolerance and coexistence between peoples, beliefs, and religions.” 

“The Abraham Accords were the fruit of both vision and power. The vision and power of states and national leaders. The growing partnership between our countries is a model for the whole Middle East, and I hope that other states in our region will be inspired by your example,” concluded President Herzog.

Along with staff from Bahrain, Ambassador Al Jalahma's wife accompanied him and stood by as he signed the official guest book. They left in separate official Israeli vehicles as the red and white flag of Bahrain flew over the Beit Hanasi entranceway in the front garden.