The only Arab states which have ambassadors in Israel are Mauritania, Egypt, Jordan and several predominantly Moslem countries, such as Turkey.
Bahrain rejected claims by the Foreign Ministry that the move is a "positive step because it reflects a willingness of the Arab world to talk to Israel."
A Bahrain government spokesman stated that allowing direct trade with Israel is a condition set by the American government for creating a free-trade zone between the Persian Gulf kingdom and the U.S. If the deal is signed, it will be the first such pact with a Gulf Arab state.
Sheikh Mohamed bin al-Khalifa, Bahrain's foreign minister, emphasized that establishing diplomatic ties with Israel is "not on the table." He said that Bahrain is "committed to Arab League resolutions" concerning diplomatic ties with Israel.
"Bahrain recognizes the need to withdraw the primary boycott against Israel and is developing the means to achieve this," his spokesman added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom met the foreign minister of Pakistan earlier this month and has announced several times the development of closer relations with Arab states. However, most of the reports have been quashed, usually with a demand from Arab officials that Israel first surrender to the Palestinian Authority (PA) all of Judea and Samaria and the eastern part of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount site.
A Bahrain resistance committee member, Mohammad Al-Aradi, slammed the decision to open up trade "with the Zionist enemy."
Bahrain rejected claims by the Foreign Ministry that the move is a "positive step because it reflects a willingness of the Arab world to talk to Israel."
A Bahrain government spokesman stated that allowing direct trade with Israel is a condition set by the American government for creating a free-trade zone between the Persian Gulf kingdom and the U.S. If the deal is signed, it will be the first such pact with a Gulf Arab state.
Sheikh Mohamed bin al-Khalifa, Bahrain's foreign minister, emphasized that establishing diplomatic ties with Israel is "not on the table." He said that Bahrain is "committed to Arab League resolutions" concerning diplomatic ties with Israel.
"Bahrain recognizes the need to withdraw the primary boycott against Israel and is developing the means to achieve this," his spokesman added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom met the foreign minister of Pakistan earlier this month and has announced several times the development of closer relations with Arab states. However, most of the reports have been quashed, usually with a demand from Arab officials that Israel first surrender to the Palestinian Authority (PA) all of Judea and Samaria and the eastern part of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount site.
A Bahrain resistance committee member, Mohammad Al-Aradi, slammed the decision to open up trade "with the Zionist enemy."