On the surface, Bahrain is the perfect Abraham Accords ally. Relations between the small island monarchy and Israel are officially described as “excellent” and have developed steadily since the agreements were signed in 2020.
Even today, a large portion of the Bahraini public shows genuine interest in expanding business ties with Israel.
But according to Yedioth Ahronoth’s Smadar Perry, a threat is quietly boiling beneath the surface. Roughly two-thirds of Bahrain’s 1.6 million residents belong to the Shia majority—a demographic reality that the Sunni-led government of King Hamad bin Isa avoids highlighting with updated, accurate data.
The internal tension is stark: despite 523 drones and 190 missiles falling on Bahraini territory during the war, wild flash protests supporting Iran’s Ayatollah regime continue to erupt on the streets.