Bahrain’s Normalization of Ties With Israel Denounced

EghtesadOnline: Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Bahrain’s move to normalize its relations with the occupying Zionist regime, describing it as “shameful”.

News ID: ۷۵۰۹۸۰

13 September 2020

“The rulers in Bahrain will from now on be an accomplice to the crimes of the Zionist regime as a permanent source of threat to the security of the region and the Islamic world,” a ministry’s statement published on its website said.

Bahrain agreed to normalize its ties with Israel on Friday, joining fellow Persian Gulf Arab state, the UAE, which is signing similar US-brokered deal with the regime.

It became the fourth Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel, which exchanged embassies with Egypt and Jordan decades ago.

“Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security and prosperity in the region,” the United States, Bahrain and Israel contended in a joint statement, according to Reuters.

The UAE is signing its deal with Israel at a White House ceremony on Tuesday hosted by US President Donald Trump, who is seeking reelection on Nov. 3.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani is set to join the ceremony to sign a “historic Declaration of Peace” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Palestinians fear the moves by Abu Dhabi and Manama will weaken a longstanding pan-Arab position that calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab countries.

“The Palestinian leadership rejects this step taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain and calls on it to immediately retreat from it due to the great harm it causes to the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people and joint Arab action,” a statement issued in the name of the Palestinian leadership said.

In Gaza, Hamas Spokesman Hazem Qassem said Bahrain’s decision represents a grave harm to the Palestinian cause and supports the occupation.

Fundamental Mistake

The oppressed and truth-seeking people of Palestine and the free Muslims of the world will never accept normalization of ties with the occupying and lawless regime of Israel and this shameful move will remain in their historical memory forever,” Iran’s statement said.

It noted that Bahrain has made a “fundamental mistake” by turning its back on its people and falling into the arms of the US to sacrifice the Palestinian cause for American domestic elections.

“Surely this measure by the Bahraini government will only give rise to the growing rage and lasting hatred of Palestinians, Muslims and free nations of the world,” it said.

The statement also warned against any threat by Israel to the security of Persian Gulf region, saying the government of Bahrain and its allies will have to bear responsibility for the consequences of any such measure.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, special adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker, also said the Bahraini regime's compromise with Israel is a great betrayal to the Islamic cause and Palestinians.

“The imprudent leaders in UAE, #Bahrain must not pave the way for the Zionist schemes. They should learn lessons from history. Tomorrow is late! The US lifeline has worn out for years,” he tweeted.