RAMALLAH, West Bank — The date of the Bahrain conference, which will focus on the economic aspects of the US peace plan, otherwise known as the deal of the century, is nearing. Meanwhile, pressure on the Palestinian Authority (PA) is mounting to push it to change its mind about boycotting the conference that will take place June 25-26.

Secretary-General of the PLO Executive Committee Saeb Erekat announced in a statement May 22 that the PA will not participate in the Bahrain conference due to US decisions, like the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving its embassy to Jerusalem and halting funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Several Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, announced May 21 their participation in the conference under the slogan “Peace to Prosperity.”

Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted a Qatari source May 25 as saying that Qatar will take part in the conference, but Qatar has yet to officially make the announcement. Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi said that Oman will most likely participate. Meanwhile, Reuters reported May 28 that Jordan and Egypt will send delegates to the conference.