Bahrain defends Australia’s recognition of al-Quds as Israeli 'capital'
Bahrain’s foreign minister has rebuked an Arab League statement condemning Australia's formal recognition of Jerusalem al-Quds as the so-called capital of Israel.
Australia formally recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as Israel’s "capital" on Saturday, but said it will not move its embassy from Tel Aviv until a "peace" settlement is reached.
The Arab League had slammed the decision in a statement as "blatantly biased towards the positions and policies of the Israeli occupation."
But, Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa described the statement as "mere rhetoric and irresponsible."
"Australia's stance does not impact the legitimate Palestinian demands, first among them being East Jerusalem (al-Quds) as the capital of Palestine, and it does not contradict the Arab Peace Initiative," he tweeted.
كلام مرسل و غير مسؤول . موقف استراليا لا يمس المطالب الفلسطينية المشروعة و اولها القدس الشرقية عاصمة لفلسطين و لا يختلف مع المبادرة العربية للسلام و الجامعة العربية سيدة العارفين .https://t.co/r5ea6JaxeT
— خالد بن أحمد (@khalidalkhalifa) December 15, 2018
Bahrain's stance contradicts that of other Muslim nations. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad denounced on Sunday Australia’s move, saying that "they have no rights” to do so.
Last month, the Indonesian government also reacted angrily, when Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison initially hinted at the idea of both recognizing the occupied city and moving the Australian embassy there.
This is while Saudi Arabia which is moving closer towards normalization with Israel has refrained from making comments on the Australian decision.
Earlier this year, the United States relocated its embassy to Jerusalem al-Quds in a move that drew harsh criticism both from Palestinians and the international community.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed the city in a move not recognized by the international community.
Israel lays claim to all of Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community views the city’s eastern sector as an occupied territory.
Only two Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, have open diplomatic relations with Israel. The regime has recently stepped up its push to make its clandestine ties with some Arab states public and establish formal relations with them.
Several Arab capitals have hosted back-to-back meetings with Israeli officials and made unprecedented remarks in favor of Tel Aviv.
Late in November, Israel’s economy minister said he has been invited to a technology event in Bahrain.
His remarks followed a report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was himself scheduled to visit Bahrain "soon".
Inside Bahrain, public opinion is largely opposed to Manama’s potential normalization of ties with Israel, which is viewed as a backstabbing of Palestinians in their struggle against occupation.
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