D.C., and made Bahrain the fourth Arab state to recognize Israel and the second within a month following the United Arab Emirates which signed it's agreement with Israel in the same ceremony as Bahrain. Expulsion of a visiting U.S. official In July 2014, while visiting Bahrain, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski was expelled by the country's government after Malinowski met with members of Al Wefaq, a leading Bahraini opposition party. Malinowski was expected to visit Bahrain for three days, and had meetings scheduled with al-Wefaq, government officials, and a leading human rights activist, Nabeel Rajab. The foreign ministry of Bahrain argued that Malinowski's activities "ran counter to conventional diplomatic norms," but also noted that the expulsion would not affect Bahrain–United States relations. The government of Bahrain also demanded that a representative of its foreign ministry be present at private meetings between Malinowski and members of al-Wefaq, and claimed that before Malinowski's arrival, there was "prior agreement" on this matter. Malinowski criticized the Bahrain government's decision as an attempt at "undermining dialogue." State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said that the U.S. was "deeply concerned" and that the Bahrain government's actions were "not consistent with the strong partnership between the United States and Bahrain." Secretary of State John Kerry called Bahrain's request to have a government official present at Malinowski's meetings "highly unusual" and an "unacceptable requirement that runs contrary to international diplomatic protocol." Malinowski returned to Bahrain in December 2014, along with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne W. Patterson. See also Foreign relations of Bahrain Foreign relations of the United States Embassy of Bahrain, Washington, D.C. Embassy of the United States, Manama Ambassadors of Bahrain to the United States Ambassadors of the United States to Bahrain United States foreign policy in the Middle East References External links U.S. Relations With Bahrain State Department Fact Sheet United States Bilateral relations of the United States