As opposed to UAE, tiny island kingdom withdrew legislation in 2005 after inking free-trade agreement with US; Manama currently busy rescinding other anti-Israel rules

Riyadh unlikely to immediately follow suit in formalizing ties with Jerusalem, but with tacit okay for Manama to do so, Saudis appear to be testing waters of open relationship

Saeb Erekat says Manama had emphasized their commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative, which requires peace with Palestinians before normalization, in private as well as in public

Brussels and Berlin include support for two-state solution in statements; Rivlin and Gantz also praise deal, though other reactions from Israel mostly muted

Hezbollah blasts 'public betrayal of the Palestinians' by Gulf nation for decision to normalize ties

Foreign Ministry official says hopes to establish diplomatic presence in Manama as soon as possible; 2 countries said to have agreed to direct flights, unspecified joint ventures

Tehran says 'Declaration of Peace' between Israel and Shiite-majority Kingdom, 'sacrificed the Palestinian cause at the altar of American elections'

Gilad Erdan speaks to Bahrain's ambassador to the United Nations about cooperating on economic projects; says 'rules of the game' changing at world body

Kingdom home to small number of Jews, mostly of Iraqi origin; leader says deal with Israel 'never expected in our lifetime'

Unlike UAE, which saw little backlash to accord with Jerusalem, Bahrain has history of political opposition and civil society, with leading group calling agreement 'illegitimate'