The delegation was led by Vadim Rabinovych and Joël Rubinfeld, Co-Chairmen of the European Jewish Parliament (EJP), together with MEJP’s from Great-Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Turkey and Ukraine.
The visit was at the invitation of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the framework of an intercultural and interreligious dialogue that started earlier this year in Brussels during the European Jewish Parliament General Assembly.
“We are delighted to start a dialogue with the European Jewish Union and the European Jewish Parliament, which represents many countries, and we understand that this is the first and very meaningful step in a new approach of development of the Middle East relations,” stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.
Minister Al Khalifa said the initiative was “fully supported” by the Bahraini royal family, who understand the “necessity of finding new, alternative and broad ways for peace, co-operation and interdenominationaldialogue in our region.”
Vadim Rabinovych explained that “politics often bring realities to a standstill. We decided to launch a public dialogue between countries and those who believe in tolerance and peace. We believe this is the ‘call of the hour’.”
The two-day visit was marked by a busy programme of talks with the Kingdom’s leaders regarding various political initiatives and economic co-operation for both parties.
