Country: Bahrain

Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

Topic: Human Rights violation on Palestinian civilians by Israel
The Kingdom of Bahrain has consistently supported the Palestinian cause since the Palestinian catastrophe
of 1948, and believes it to be a crucial Arab issue. Bahrain also participated in the "London Meeting Supporting the
Palestinian Authority", which took place in 2005. Like the UAE, Bahrain also normalized relations with Israel in
2020. However, the Bahraini government is careful in balancing its newfound ties with Israel and its historical
support for Palestinian rights.
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 foreign minister of Bahrain Khalid bin Ahmed Al
Khalifa has been quoted saying "Israel is part of the heritage of this whole region, historically. So, the Jewish people
have a place amongst us." Bahrain's foreign policy traditionally supports the creation of an independent Palestinian
state.
Political and economic relations exist between the State of Palestine and the Kingdom of
Bahrain. The State of Palestine has an embassy in Manama. On September 11, 2020, relations between the two
countries deteriorated due to the Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement and the subsequent recall by the State of
Palestine of its ambassador Khaled Aref.
In 2023, according to recent data, Bahrain holds Israel responsible for the unfortunate,
deteriorating, and painful situation in the Palestinian lands as a result of Israel's aggressive practices including:
assassinations; settlement-building; and the erection of the Separation Wall; as well as attacking holy places, and
imposing economic blockades.
Bahrain is supporting the Middle East countries for a two-state solution by creating Israel for the
Jewish people and the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. It has argued that the one-state
solution is not viable because of Arab unwillingness to accept a Jewish national presence in the Middle East.
The Israeli army is not only the most powerful army in the region but the most powerful army in
the world. 600 different aircrafts and the world’s second largest collection of the famous F-16 fighting falcon and its
variants. They have over 360 F-16s in active service. They also have about 30 F-35 stealth fighters that can enter
foreign territory completely undetected and can fire targets at 160 km away. They have a dozen air-to-air refuelers
and a two dozen special mission airplanes, and not to mention the entire US arsenal at their back and call. Israeli
government has been lying about its crimes ever since, from Qana massacre of a UN refugee camp in Lebanon in
1996, or the 2006 beach massacre of an entire family or the bombed UNRWA site to the killing of a journalist
Shireen Abu Akle, Israel has always blamed someone else. And the human rights group, the UN, the media always
uncovered that they were lying but no one holds them responsible. Western media keep taking Israel’s word as the
only word to report, despite their records of lying.
Bahrain, as a solution, believes in sending humanitarian aid to the civilians of Gaza Strip
and providing basic healthcare and food facilities abiding by international law. Hundreds of Israeli civilians have
been taken hostage by armed groups in Gaza. They have no say over the events and should be released without
conditions. The international community must push for the respect of international humanitarian law, particularly
civilian protection, in this conflict. Starvation must NOT be used as a war weapon in Gaza. 43 percent of the houses
have been destroyed or damaged, shelter should be provided to them in neighbouring countries for the time being
matters are resolved politically. Countries like Jordan and Egypt should accept refugees rather than being rooted in
fear that Israel wants to force a permanent expulsion of Palestinians into their countries and nullify Palestinian
demands for statehood. Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel is seen using emergency powers to keep
his position secure for the upcoming elections. This is also causing political instability in Israel.