Bahrain recalls ambassador to Israel and halts economic ties

Bahrain has recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended economic ties with the country, a statement published on the website of Bahrain’s lower house of parliament has said.

The move was made as Israel continues to wage war in Gaza, The National reports.

“The House of Representatives confirms that the Israeli ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain has left Bahrain, and the Kingdom of Bahrain decided to recall the Bahraini ambassador from Israel to the country. Economic relations with Israel have also been halted,” the parliament statement said.

“The parliament affirms that the continuation of war and military operations, and the continuing Israeli escalation in light of the lack of respect for international humanitarian law, prompts it to demand more decisions and measures that preserve the lives of innocent people and civilians in Gaza and all Palestinian areas," reads the statement.

Relations have existed between Bahrain and Israel since Bahrain achieved its independence in 1971.

In recent years, relations between the two countries have been thawing, and the countries agreed to establish diplomatic relations in September 2020.

The agreement was signed on September 15, 2020, at the White House in Washington, D.C.

In March 2021, Bahrain appointed Khaled Yousif al-Jalahma as its first ambassador to Israel. He arrived in Israel to take up his post at the end of August 2021.

In September 2021, Israel opened a resident embassy in Manama. In September 2023, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Manama and officially reopened Israel's new embassy to replace the first one.

Earlier, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan announced the withdrawal of its ambassador from Israel.

Chile, Colombia and Bolivia also recalled their ambassadors amid the ongoing war in Gaza.