Bahrainis Condemn Normalization Deal
Despite the heavy crackdown on dissent and recent arrests made by the security forces, hundreds held rallies on a day called “Friday of Collapse of Treason Deal”.
Those taking part in the protests carried banners and placards reading “Death to America”, “Death to Israel” and “Death to Treason Deal”.
Security forces have reportedly detained a number of protesters.
The rallies coincided with a trip to the tiny Persian Gulf Arab country by Israeli Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to Bahrain.
Cohen has held talks with Bahrain's intelligence services following the two countries recent normalization of relations, Bahraini state media reported on Thursday.
Bahrainis have reacted with anger at the government’s move and quickly turned the hashtag "Bahrainis against normalization" into the most popular topic on social media.
Both religious and political figures in the kingdom have released statements rejecting the deal.
“There is a great divergence between the rulers and the ruled in thought, mind, aims and interests. Governments are experiencing a psychological defeat and want to impose it on the people, and the people have to resist this defeat,” said Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of Bahraini Shia Muslims.
The Palestinians have condemned the US-brokered deals signed by the UAE and Bahrain with Israel as “a stab in the back” for their aspirations to establish an independent state of their own.
