Bahrain’s parliament announced the recall of its ambassador to Israel, according to a statement posted on its website Thursday, but it is unclear whether the envoy will actually step down.
A spokesperson for the country’s lower house, the Council of Representatives, said economic cooperation with Israel would also be put on hold amid Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza.
“This is an affirmation of Bahrain’s historic position in support of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people, which His Majesty the King has previously expressed in meetings and events,” the statement said, referring to the King of Bahrain. This is what was declared.” Hamad Al Khalifa.
The statement also condemned Israel’s “lack of respect for international humanitarian law” in its military operations in Gaza and affirmed Bahrain’s support for an independent Palestinian state.
It is unclear whether the measures are temporary and Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry has not commented on the matter.
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However, later on Thursday, Axios reporter Barak Rabid, citing official Bahraini sources, said Bahrain would not recall its envoy to Israel.
The internal affairs of Bahrain, a small island nation in the Gulf, have long been dominated by its larger neighbor Saudi Arabia.
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Axios reports that despite Israel’s continued war in Gaza, Riyadh remains interested in continuing to develop ties with Israel.
In September 2020, Bahrain and its Gulf neighbor UAE signed a normalization agreement with Israel.
That same year, Morocco and Sudan also signed agreements with Israel.