Zionist President, Isaac Herzog, altered the schedule of his visit to Bahrain because of the demonstrations taking place in the country against him and the regime’s normalization policy.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Herzog travelled today to Bahrain and that he will be “the first Israeli head of state to visit the country”, and that this visit “will take place under intense security following protests against the Israeli leader that have taken place over the past days.”
Furthermore, Bahraini authorities said, “they would not allow protests to take place during the visit.”
People in Bahrain, however, have staged fresh demonstrations across the Persian Gulf country to reiterate their support for the Palestinian cause, and to condemn the establishment of full diplomatic relations with the Tel Aviv regime, and the visit by Herzog to Manama.
Protesters in the village of al-Markh chanted slogans in protest against the normalization of ties, voiced solidarity with the Palestinian nation in their struggle against the occupying Israeli regime and called for the expulsion of Israeli tourists from Bahrain.
فيديو: تظاهرة ثوريّة غاضبة في بلدة #المرخ رفضًا للزيارة المشؤومة وتنديدًا بجريمة التطبيع. #التطبيع_خيانة #البحرين pic.twitter.com/Ovoq5tzwA9
— COALITION 14 FEB (@COALITION14) December 3, 2022
They chanted slogans including “We shall never accept humiliation,” “Normalization is treason” and “Bahrain is the cemetery of Zionists”. The demonstrators also trampled upon the Israeli flag.
A similar rally was also held in the village of al-Daih, where participants held up placards against Herzog’s visit and normalization of relations with Israel. They waved Palestinian national flags and chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Elsewhere in the coastal village of Dumistan, demonstrators called for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners.
Herzog arrived in Manama on Sunday and was welcomed by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani and Bahrain’s envoy to Israel Khaled Yousif al-Jalahma upon landing in Manama.
As a result of the protests, Herzog’s itinerary was changed at the last minute, though Bahraini officials said they would not allow protests to take place during the visit.
He is set to head to al-Qudaibiya Palace, where he will meet King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah over lunch.
Before he took off to Bahrain, Maariv newspaper quoted Herzog as saying that he sees the visit as “another step to advance peace between us, Bahrain and the Emirates,” hoping that “more countries will be able to join the circle of peace with Israel.”
The daily noted that ‘Israel’s’ greatest fear is that Iran would attempt to obstruct Herzog’s visit to Bahrain, similarly to what happened during his visit to Abu Dhabi, referring to an attack launched by the Ansarullah resistance group on UAE facilities.
