Bahrain recalls its ambassador from Israel

Bahrain said it has expelled the Israeli ambassador to Manama and recalled its envoy from Tel Aviv on Thursday, citing the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza where nearly 9,000 Palestinians have been killed.

In a statement, the Bahraini parliament said the moves were part of measures taken in support of “ the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people”.

Bahrain normalised ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the controversial Abraham Accord, in which the UAE and Morocco also established relations.

The latest development on Thursday comes just a day after Jordan took similar action against Israel. On Wednesday, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi “immediately” recalled its ambassador to Israel over the “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

Amman added that it would only send back its envoy if Israel halts the onslaught and called on Tel Aviv to recall its ambassador to Amman. Israel had evacuated its embassies in Jordan as well as other countries it shares ties with, including Bahrain and Morocco.

So far, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have yet to make similar moves.