As long as Israel will not let Palestine go, Bahrain is not interested in normalization. (Image via iStock)

Bahrain: Until Palestine is independent, no ties with Israel

Bahrain Government stated that as long as Palestine's independence remained uncertain, then it would not consider normalizing ties with Israel. Previously, United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed that it had normalized its ties with Israel despite its stance toward Palestine. Moreover, Bahrain added another condition that Saudi Arabia, as the foremost leader of the Arabian Peninsula, should also make a pact with Israel.

The demands were submitted to the senior advisor and also son-in-law to the United States (U.S) President, Jared Kushner, during his state visit to Bahrain in chairing the U.S - Israel meeting in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Kushner's visit also marks full normalization between UAE and Israel. Hoping that Bahrain will follow suit, Bahrain King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated that the country would not comply until Saudi Arabia has decided the same.

Despite complimenting UAE's bold move to normalize its ties with Israel, Saudi Arabia remains adamant that no ties should be normalized until the establishment of Palestine as an independent country. In 2002, King Abdullah also put Palestine's independence as a condition for ties normalization with Israel, according to the Arab Peace Initiative. However, Israel did not take heed of the conditions as it strengthens its West Bank annexation.

The fact that UAE normalized its ties with Israel in hope of lifting Israel's annexation over Palestine panned negative criticisms. Israel only suspended the West Bank annexation, not permanently lifting it. Therefore, the deal only strengthened Israel's grip over Palestine.

Source: https://bit.ly/2Z328we