Lyla Lindsey
The 33rd Arab League Summit, held in May 2024, saw the Bahrain Declaration issued by the Arab League Council. The declaration focused on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling for a two-state solution and an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza. While Bahrain has hosted this summit, it is important to note that in November 2023, Bahrain, along with the United Arab Emirates, rejected calls to cut ties with Israel, which had been led by Algeria and Iran. This highlights a rift between Iran and the Arab world on the Palestinian issue, with Iran insisting that a Jewish state should not exist, while Arab countries support a two-state solution.
What You'll Learn
Bahrain's support for a two-state solution
Bahrain has shown its support for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In September 2020, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa welcomed the normalisation of relations with Israel, but also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In a call with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, King Hamad reiterated the necessity of a fair and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, based on the two-state solution.
The declaration called for a just and comprehensive peaceful settlement, supporting the call of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for an international peace conference and the implementation of the two-state solution. It reiterated the importance of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Bahrain's stance aligns with the position of many countries and the Palestinian Authority, who support the two-state solution. However, Israel currently rejects the idea, despite having supported it in the past.
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The country's condemnation of Israel's military retaliation
Bahrain has had relations with Israel since it gained independence in 1971. However, these relations have been tense at times, 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 denounced the boycott, stating that his citizens were entitled to visit Israel. Bahrain recognised Israel's right to exist in 2018, and in 2020, the two countries agreed to establish full diplomatic relations.
Despite these developments, Bahrain has traditionally supported the creation of an independent Palestinian state and has condemned Israeli military actions that target Palestinians. In 2023, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended all economic relations with the country. This was done in solidarity with the Palestinian cause and to defend the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Bahrain's statement also cited Israel's obstruction of ceasefire efforts and its continued military escalation in the Gaza Strip.
Bahrain's condemnation of Israel's military retaliation against Hamas is in line with its support for Palestinian statehood and its rejection of Israeli actions that violate international law and the rights of Palestinians. This position was reaffirmed in the Bahrain Declaration issued by the 33rd regular session of the Arab League Council, which emphasised the centrality of the Palestinian issue and stressed the need to confront any attempts to displace the Palestinian people. The declaration also called for an end to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and for the protection of civilians.
Bahrain's stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, including its condemnation of Israel's military actions, has been a key factor in its relations with Israel and other countries in the region.
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Bahrain's call for an international peace conference
The conference proposed by Bahrain and Abbas would be convened under the auspices of the United Nations and would aim to resolve the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution. This would establish an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensure the restoration of all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. The two-state solution has been a long-standing proposal, in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and resolutions of international legitimacy, to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
The call for an international peace conference was included in the final statement, known as the \"Bahrain Declaration\" or the \"Manama Declaration\", issued by the Arab League following the summit. The declaration affirmed the Arab position on the Palestinian issue, stressing it as the central issue and the backbone of peace and stability in the region. It also condemned all illegal Israeli measures that target the Palestinian people and deprive them of their rights, as guaranteed by international laws.
The Arab League's call for an international peace conference was made in conjunction with other proposals to address the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. These included a call for the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces until a two-state solution is implemented, as well as urging all Palestinian factions to unite under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Additionally, the declaration called on the international community to implement relevant Security Council resolutions and take decisive measures to end the Israeli occupation of Arab territories occupied since 1967.
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The nation's stance on the Palestine Liberation Organization
The nations' stance on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is one of support and recognition. The Arab League, in its final statement, urged all Palestinian factions to unite under the PLO, which is dominated by the Fatah movement of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The Arab nations recognised the PLO as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people". They called on all Palestinian groups to unite under this umbrella and work towards a comprehensive national project with a unified strategic vision. This vision is focused on achieving the aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their legitimate rights and the establishment of an independent national state on their national soil.
The Arab League's support for the PLO is significant as it represents the unified position of 22 Arab countries, who collectively reaffirmed their commitment to the Palestinian cause. This stance was outlined in the Bahrain Declaration, issued by the 33rd regular session of the Arab League Council, also known as the Bahrain Summit. The declaration emphasised the centrality of the Palestinian issue and its role as the backbone of peace and stability in the region. It reiterated the Arab nations' strong condemnation of all illegal Israeli measures that target the Palestinian people and deprive them of their rights, as guaranteed by international laws.
The Arab League's support for the PLO is also reflected in their call for a just and comprehensive peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. They advocated for a two-state solution, with the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the borders of June 4, 1967, and East Jerusalem as its capital. This position was further reinforced by their request for the deployment of UN peacekeepers in the occupied Palestinian territories until this solution is implemented.
The recognition of the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people is a crucial step towards achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict. By uniting under the PLO, Palestinian factions can present a unified front and speak with one voice in future negotiations. This unity strengthens their position and reinforces the legitimacy of their demands for an independent state.
The nations' stance on the PLO demonstrates their commitment to finding a lasting solution that upholds the rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people. By recognising the PLO as the legitimate representative, they have taken a significant step towards achieving a comprehensive and just peace in the region.
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Bahrain's criticism of Israeli settlements
Bahrain, along with the other 21 Arab countries in attendance, emphasised the need for Israel to cease all settlement expansion and confiscation of Palestinian land, as these actions are considered illegal under international law and pose a significant obstacle to achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
The declaration also reiterated the firm and permanent Arab position in support of the Palestinian cause, stressing that it remains a central issue and the foundation for peace and stability in the region. It called for an immediate end to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people to live in security, safety, and freedom in their independent and sovereign state.
The Arab leaders further urged the international community to fulfil its legal obligations, take decisive measures to end the Israeli occupation of Arab territories occupied since 1967, and implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. They emphasised that the occupied city of Jerusalem is sacred to all monotheistic religions and rejected any attempts by Israel to change its identity or the historical and legal status quo of its holy sites.
The Bahrain Declaration also included a call for the deployment of UN peacekeepers in the occupied Palestinian territories and the convening of an international conference under the UN to resolve the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution.
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Frequently asked questions
Bahrain did not decline the 33rd Arab Summit, which was held in Al Sakhir Palace in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The summit focused on the war between Israel and Hamas and called for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
The outcome of the 33rd Arab Summit was the Bahrain Declaration, which affirmed the Arab position on the Palestinian issue and called for an end to Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip. The declaration also called for a joint plan for the year that advocates for an end to Israel's war in Gaza and a two-state solution.
Bahrain and Israel have a complex relationship. In 2020, Bahrain normalized ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords. However, there are still tensions between the two countries, as evidenced by the focus of the 33rd Arab Summit on the Palestinian issue and the condemnation of Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.
