MANAMA (Dispatches) – More than 240 Bahraini scholars have strongly denounced the first visit by the Zionist regime’s foreign minister to the Persian Gulf state since the two regimes established ties last year and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians.
“We denounce the presence of the foreign minister of the Zionist enemy in Bahrain, and renew our rejection of all forms of normalization with the usurping regime, including the opening of an embassy and a trade office in Manama,” the scholars said in a joint statement.
“We also reiterate our firm support for the Palestinian nation and every iota of the blessed Palestinian lands, which has been drenched in the blood of martyrs through years of resistance and steadfastness. The murderous invaders are now spilling the blood of Palestinians in Al-Quds and Jenin.”
Yair Lapid arrived at Manama airport on Thursday to become the highest-ranking Zionist official to visit the country since the occupying regime and Bahrain forged formal relations last year.
He met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifah.
On Friday, a group of young Palestinian men converged outside the diplomatic mission and raised national Palestinian flags to condemn the Al Khalifah regime’s decision to normalize relations with Israel, and voiced their support for the Palestinian people.
Dozens of people took to the streets in Samaheej village on the northern coast of Muharraq Island, waving Palestinian and Bahraini flags.
Protesters staged similar rallies in the villages of Abu Saiba and Shakhura, where they carried banners in denunciation of the visit.
Elsewhere in Sitra Island, which lies 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) south of the capital Manama, Bahraini regime forces attacked demonstrators.
The participants were chanting slogans against the inauguration of the occupying regime’s embassy in Manama, when regime forces fired shots and tear gas canisters to disperse them.