Bahrain's Stance On Israel-Palestine: A Complex Dynamic

Bahrain's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been a complex and evolving one. While the country has historically supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state, its relations with Israel have undergone a gradual normalisation since Bahrain gained independence in 1971. In 2020, Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords, agreeing to normalise diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming one of the few Arab states to do so. However, this decision was met with public outrage and protests, with groups expressing their solidarity with Palestine and demanding the government rescind normalisation agreements. In November 2023, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended economic relations, citing its support for the Palestinian cause.

Bahrain's relations with Israel

Bahrain and Israel have had relations since Bahrain gained its independence in 1971. However, these relations have been tense over the years, with Bahrain joining the Arab League boycott of Israel. In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States.

In 2017, the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, stating that his citizens were entitled to visit Israel. This was followed by a series of events that led to the normalization of relations between the two countries. In 2018, Bahrain recognized Israel's right to exist and expressed support for Israel's "right to defend itself" against Iran. In 2019, Bahrain hosted an economic peace workshop and the foreign ministers of both countries met in the United States.

On September 11, 2020, it was announced that Bahrain and Israel had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, making Bahrain the fourth Arab state to recognize Israel. This agreement, known as the Bahrain-Israel normalization agreement or the Abraham Accords, was signed at the White House in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2020. The agreement included provisions for the exchange of ambassadors, the opening of embassies, and cooperation in various fields such as technology, health, and agriculture.

Despite the normalization of relations, Bahrain has traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state and continues to do so. In November 2023, amid the Israel-Hamas war, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended all economic relations, citing its support for the Palestinian cause. However, sources indicate that Bahrain remains committed to its relations with Israel and is trying to balance its ties with public opinion.

Bahrain's stance on Palestine

Historical Context:

Bahrain gained independence in 1971 and joined the Arab League boycott of Israel. However, over time, its relations with Israel have undergone a gradual thawing.

Support for Palestinian Rights:

Bahrain has traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state and the right of Palestinian refugees to return to Palestine. In October 2007, Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Khalid Alkhalifa, affirmed the country's support for Palestinian refugees' right of return during a meeting with the American Jewish Committee.

Diplomatic Relations with Israel:

In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States. This marked a shift in Bahrain's approach towards Israel. In 2017, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa denounced the Arab League boycott of Israel, allowing Bahraini citizens to visit Israel despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations at the time.

Normalization Agreement:

In 2020, Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords, normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel. This agreement was facilitated by the United States and followed a similar agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain became the fourth Arab state to recognize Israel, a move that generated mixed reactions from other countries and organizations.

Balancing Act:

Bahrain has sought to balance its relations with Israel and its commitment to Palestinian rights. Despite normalizing ties, Bahrain continues to face pressure from its citizens and other Arab and Islamic countries to support Palestine. Pro-Palestinian sentiment remains strong in Bahrain, with protests against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and normalization with Israel occurring in recent years.

Recent Developments:

In November 2023, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended economic relations. This move was seen as an attempt to ease public fury over the conflict while preserving its strategic relationship with Israel. However, sources indicate that Bahrain remains committed to its ties with Israel, even as it manages public opinion and criticizes Israel's military actions.

The Arab League boycott of Israel

The boycott was officially adopted in December 1945, before Israel's establishment in 1948, and was aimed at weakening Jewish industry in Palestine and deterring Jewish immigration to the region. The Arab League repeated its calls for a ban on all financial and commercial transactions with Israel after the country declared independence in May 1948. The Arab League also cut off postal, telegraphic, and radio communications with Israel, and Arab states imposed a land, sea, and air blockade.

The boycott was coordinated by the Central Boycott Office (CBO), established in 1951 and based in Damascus, with branch offices in each Arab League member state. The CBO's primary task was to coordinate the boycott with its affiliated offices and report to the Arab League Council. Biannual meetings were held to coordinate boycott policies and compile blacklists of individuals and firms that violated the boycott.

In addition to economic measures, the boycott extended to military and security non-cooperation. For example, during the Gulf War (1990-91), Iraq fired Scud missiles at Israel, hoping to provoke an Israeli military response and cause Arab states to withdraw from the US-led coalition.

Over time, the boycott's effectiveness waned, and it was sporadically applied and ambiguously enforced. Egypt was the first nation to abandon the boycott in 1980, followed by other countries such as Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and several Gulf states in the 1990s. As of 2024, Syria and Lebanon are the only Arab states actively enforcing the primary boycott, while Syria is the only country still enforcing the secondary and tertiary boycotts.

Bahrain became part of the Arab League boycott of Israel after gaining independence in 1971. However, in 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott in exchange for a free trade agreement with the United States. In 2017, the King of Bahrain denounced the boycott, stating that Bahraini citizens were entitled to visit Israel. Subsequently, Bahrain took steps to normalize relations with Israel, including signing the Abraham Accords in 2020, becoming the fourth Arab state to recognize Israel.

The Bahraini public's view of normalisation

The Bahraini public has largely been against normalisation with Israel, with many citizens expressing their opposition to the idea of normalisation and continuing to show their solidarity with Palestine. Despite this, the Bahraini government has gone ahead with normalisation, citing the restoration of Palestinian rights and the pursuit of the Arab Peace Initiative as motivations for their decision. However, these objectives did not align with Palestinian aspirations, and the Palestinian leadership was quick to reject the normalisation agreement as a "betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, and the Palestinian cause".

Public outrage over the normalisation agreement was expressed both on social media and through unauthorised demonstrations across the country. Masses of people demanded that the government rescind the normalisation agreements and called on Bahrain to expel the Israeli ambassador and recall its own ambassador to Israel. The authorities showed some flexibility in dealing with the popular reaction, allowing some demonstrations and solidarity gatherings to take place, something they had not allowed for more than nine years.

In addition to the Abraham Accords, Bahrain also signed agreements with Israel in the areas of security, economy, and tourism. Despite the government's efforts to normalise relations, the Bahraini people remain steadfast in their opposition to normalisation. Boycotts against Israel in Bahrain are not new and have intensified during the recent war in Gaza, with many Bahrainis actively seeking out alternatives to products that financially or morally support Israel.

The Bahraini regime is one of the weakest in the Gulf, and it tends to conform to Saudi and Emirati policies or demands. Normalisation with Israel follows this pattern, as Bahrain would not have normalised relations if the Saudis and Emiratis hadn't already come to a consensus about it first. The Bahraini government's decision to normalise relations with Israel, despite public opposition, has further undermined its legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens.

The impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict on Bahrain's relations with the US

Bahrain's relations with the US have been significantly impacted by the Israel-Palestine conflict. The US has long been a supporter of Israel, providing it with military and economic aid, and more recently, pushing for Arab countries to normalise relations with Israel.

In 2005, Bahrain abandoned its boycott of Israel in exchange for a free trade agreement with the US. This was a significant shift in Bahrain's foreign policy, which had traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state. In 2018, Bahrain recognised Israel's right to exist, and in 2020, it agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab country to do so. This was largely due to pressure from the US and the common threat of Iran, which provided an opportunity for a thaw in relations between Bahrain and Israel.

However, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, particularly the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, has caused tensions in Bahrain, with rare protests against the Israeli-Hamas war taking place in the country. Bahrain has tried to balance its relations with Israel and the US with its commitment to supporting Palestine, as seen in its decision to recall its ambassador to Israel and suspend economic relations in November 2023.

The US has also pressured Bahrain to increase the flow of aid to Gaza, with the Biden administration warning that military aid could be suspended if the situation did not improve. Bahrain's relations with the US are further complicated by its hosting of the US Navy Fifth Fleet, which provides a vital bulwark against Iran.

Overall, the Israel-Palestine conflict has had a complex impact on Bahrain's relations with the US, with Bahrain trying to navigate its commitments to both countries while also managing public opinion at home.

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