Despite the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip and the resulting explosion of anti-Israel rhetoric in many parts of the Arab world, Bahrain’s former ambassador to the UK and senior member of the ruling royal family says the Abraham Accords are It remains firmly in place.
Asked by Media Line about the growing pressure from the Bahraini people to sever ties with Israel over the Gaza war, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa replied: “That will not happen.” Ta.
Mr Al Khalifa, who served as Bahrain’s ambassador to the UK from 1996 to 2001 and has held other senior administrative positions in the kingdom, said that unless there was a supermajority, the Bahrain government was “not likely to be gradually swayed” by such an attitude. That’s not the case,” he said. do not have.
Under the Abraham Accords signed in September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates normalized relations with Israel, followed by Morocco in December of the same year.
Mr Al Khalifa said that around 50% of Bahrain’s population are Shiite Muslims, who “sometimes become more sympathetic to extreme views…”. [but] You can’t just change sides every time you don’t like the government in power in a country you’re connected to. This is seen not only in Israel, but also in many other countries. ”
The emir made the comments during a small private online event hosted by ROPES, a non-profit organization working to promote an Arab-Israeli peace agreement in the region. ROPES aims to connect progressive and emerging leaders from Israel, the Palestinian territories, and approximately 10 Arab countries, and its alumni network includes members of parliament, diplomats, journalists, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists. included.
The online event was hosted by Ksenia Svetlova, Director General of ROPES and former Member of Parliament. Ben Birnbaum, the organization’s founder and president and an award-winning diplomatic journalist, spoke about ROPES’s mission and activities, and spoke to a number of people, including Program Coordinator Amira Mohamed, a Palestinian from East Jerusalem with Israeli citizenship. employees and alumni spoke about their experiences with the organization. , Alumni Relations Director and co-host of the podcast ROPEScast, Ibrahim Abu Ahmad is a Palestinian-Israeli from the Nazareth region.
Anti-Semitism, Iran, and Palestinians: What does the future hold?
Topics included anti-Semitism around the world, the future of the Abraham Accords, Iranian influence in the region, and prospects for peace with the Palestinians.
Regarding global anti-Semitism, Al-Khalifa said, “What is happening on campuses in the United States and some parts of Europe is something you would never see in the Arab world today.” …It is a mistake to think that even in a religious state like Saudi Arabia, there is widespread hatred against Jews. ”
Regarding Iran, panelists discussed the need to extend the Abraham Accords.
“We all need to be part of a community that can face these kinds of challenges… and we need not only the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and the Abraham Accord countries, but the entire Arab world to be on the same side. “We want to fight alongside Israel and Palestine against security threats from other countries,” al-Khalifa said.
The most talked about topic at the event was the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. Speakers acknowledged that it was impossible to return to the status quo before the October 7 attacks, and ROPES was already focused on what would happen next. Speakers said the answer lies in the next generation of leaders.
”[Despite the] In the midst of the darkness that has engulfed us, we are proud at ROPES to have a resilient network of young leaders who are dedicated yet keep their eyes on the ball and the big picture… A stable post-war Middle East that fully integrates Israelis and Palestinians, ideally based on a two-state solution,” Svetlova said.
Al-Khalifa said that apart from Hamas and other extremist groups, the majority of Palestinians and the rest of the Arab world all want a two-state solution.
“So the ball is in the court of the Israeli government,” he said. “We need to know the boundaries and the details, including ensuring the security of Israel so that the Israeli people are not threatened and can stay until the end of time. You have the right to live as a normal human being with the ability to run a business.”
Al Khalifa said taking a “baby steps” approach may be the best way forward. Signing a peace deal “doesn’t mean opening the gates right away,” he said.
“It will take will and commitment and a period of building trust…If the Palestinians continue to live as they are, they will continue to pose a threat,” he said.
But more than that, Al Khalifa said, “The players have to change.” He said the Palestinian Authority was powerless and that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas “understands that elections are needed.” He also said that the Israeli people needed both a change in leadership and a leap of faith.
“I think the Israeli people need to listen to the people of the Arab world. We came as friends, and believe us, we will not be isolated in a future Palestinian state. “We will be on the ground to ensure the transition and see that both sides stick to their side of the agreement,” he said.
Birnbaum said, “If we want a peace deal, it’s not enough for just Palestinians and Israelis to be at the table. Other regional actors need to be involved as well.”
