Flags of Bahrain. (Credit: Illustrative photo AFP)
Bahrain announced on Thursday the recall of its ambassador in Israel, the severance of economic relations between the kingdom and Tel Aviv, and the departure of the Israeli ambassador from Bahrain.
The lower house of Parliament cited "Bahrain's historical and firm position of support for the Palestinian cause" and condemned "the complete disregard for international humanitarian law" by the State of Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
However, for now, the parliamentary decision would not bind the country.
While the Bahraini government has not confirmed the decision, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they were not informed of any decision from the kingdom.
"Bahraini and Israeli officials claim that the Parliament's statement is not binding and that the Bahraini ambassador has not been recalled," wrote Barak Ravid, an Israeli political commentator on the X network (formerly Twitter).
The day before, Jordan had also decided to recall its ambassador to Israel to protest the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which was initiated after the Palestinian Hamas attack on Israeli soil on Oct. 7.
Despite this, Bahrain was among the Gulf countries that had initiated a normalization process of relations with the State of Israel, even going as far as signing a defense agreement between the two countries.
'More measures to protect civilians in Gaza'
In a statement published on the Bahraini Parliament's website, it is specified that "this decision reaffirms Bahrain's historical and firm position in support of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people."
The Parliament also believes that "the continuation of war, military operations, and Israel's ongoing escalation, in total disregard for international humanitarian law, leads it to demand further measures to protect the lives of innocents and civilians in Gaza and all Palestinian regions.'"
The statement also emphasizes the "commitment and interest" of the Emir of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, in the Palestinian cause, as well as the kingdom's support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state."
The war, now in its 27th day, continues to rage between Israel and Hamas, with an increasing death toll. The Hamas Health Ministry announced that 9,061 people, including 3,760 children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict. According to the ministry, 2,326 women are also among the dead recorded since Oct. 7. The bombings have also resulted in at least 32,000 injuries, according to the same source.
On the Israeli side, local authorities report 1,400 deaths, mostly civilians.
