Bahraini protesters clash with police over new Israeli ambassador: What to know
Bahrain normalized ties with Israel in 2020 and has sought to balance friendly relations and maintaining calm among its pro-Palestinian population amid the Gaza war.
Bahrainis protested on Monday night against the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador to the country, leading to clashes with police.
What happened: Videos on Bahraini social media showed dozens of protesters gathered in the capital Manama, many carrying Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs. In some of the footage, protesters chanting “death to Israel” are seen pushing police wearing riot gear as the police try to prevent them from moving forward.
Bahraini authorities did not comment on the incident. In one of the videos, protesters were gathered outside of a building bearing the name Al Jaser Factory. The closest location bearing that name in Manama is located 3.4 miles (5.5 kilometers) from the Israeli embassy.
The protests follow the appointment of a new Israeli ambassador to Bahrain. Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani received the credentials of Shmuel Revel last Thursday. Zayani wished the new ambassador success and “emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to support peace, security, and stability in the region,” the official Bahrain News Agency reported.
