Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, with sharp words, sparing nothing in terms of clarity, condemned the October 7 terrorist attack by Palestinian Hamas. He also called for the release of the hostages.
He literally said: “I unequivocally condemn Hamas – so that everyone in this room can understand that I stand on the side of civilians and innocents, and not on the side of political posturing.” The attacks on 7 October were “barbaric, horrific and appalling” and “indiscriminate”. “They killed women, children, elderly people. They attacked civilian facilities and military targets. And on top of that, it now seems okay to kidnap hostages and talk about it as if it was an act of war.
At the same time, Sheikh also condemned Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip at the annual security conference of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (“Manama Dialogue”). These also “led to the deaths of innocent people”. The Bahraini politician stressed the need for the international community to work together to achieve peace in Israel and Gaza.
A “hostage swap” between Hamas and Israel could lead to a truce. Hamas should release the Israeli women and children held hostage. In return, Israel must release Palestinian women and children from its prisons. “The intention is to take a pause so people can take stock, bury their dead, finally begin to mourn.”
A two-state solution is necessary for security. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa called the United States “indispensable” to achieving this solution.
Sunni-ruled Bahrain established ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
