Gantz meets King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Bahrain

Bahrain’s Al-Wefaq movement strongly denounced the recent visit of Israeli security Minister Benny Gantz to Manama, describing it as a dangerous provocation and an act of transgression.

The movement added that Bahrain's ruling government refrained to inform the country ahead of time of the occupation minister's arrival in order to avoid public rage and protests.

Regarding a security agreement that seemingly allows “intelligence and military training cooperation” between the Israeli occupation and Manama, the movement stated that the deal lacks all legitimacy, as Bahrain’s ruling regime “does not have any popular mandate for entering such agreements.”

In a strong-worded statement, Al-Wefaq added that Bahrain's ruling government is bowing to “Israel” in an attempt to shore up its position in the face of a "deepening crisis" in its relation with the Bahraini people.

On Wednesday, Gantz arrived in Bahrain as part of a two-day visit to the Gulf state and to concoct a security bilat with Manama.

During his visit, he met with top Bahraini officials, including the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the country's premier Salman Al Khalifa and Bahrain’s defense minister Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi.

The Israeli occupation minister also visited the US Navy’s 5th Fleet base in Bahrain.

Meanwhile, the Israeli ministry's website considered that Gantz’s visit to Bahrain aims to “establish a seaport in Bahrain, with the purpose of exploiting or using it as a base for the Israeli navy against Iran, with US mediation and Bahraini approval.”