A handout picture released by the Israeli Knesset spokesperson's office on May 17, 2020, shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaking during a swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Jerusalem. (PHOTO / AFP)

JERUSALEM - Israel’s parliament on Tuesday approved a US -brokered deal establishing formal relations with Bahrain, by a vote of 62 lawmakers in favour and 14 opposed.

Israel’s deals with Gulf Arab states Bahrain and the UAE were forged in part over shared fears of Iran

The Middle East countries signed a joint communique on Oct 18 to formalise their nascent ties. Bahrain is one of three Arab countries - along with the United Arab Emirates and Sudan - to set aside hostilities with Israel in recent months.

READ MORE: Israel, Bahrain formalize ties at ceremony in Manama

Israel’s deals with Gulf Arab states Bahrain and the UAE were forged in part over shared fears of Iran. But they angered the Palestinians, who have long demanded statehood before any such regional rapprochement.

“The Knesset (parliament) plenum approved the joint announcement regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations, peace and friendship between the State of Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” a Knesset spokesman said in a statement.

ALSO READ: Israel sends treaty delegation to Bahrain with Trump aides

Speaking at parliament ahead of the vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu predicted more regional countries would move to open relations with Israel.

“(The) buds of normalisation are already out there, waiting to blossom. If we pursue the policy I crafted, I am convinced that the flowering will be witnessed in the open,” Netanyahu said.