Bahrain Condemns Israel's Knesset Approval of Bills to Annex the West Bank

Bahrain strongly condemned Israel's parliament for approving two laws that impose what it calls "Israeli sovereignty" over illegal settlements in the West Bank. The Gulf kingdom called these moves a clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, while welcoming President Trump's stated commitment to protecting the occupied West Bank.

The Bahraini Foreign Ministry issued its statement as tensions rise over Israeli settlement expansion. These laws essentially legitimize settlements that the international community considers illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention. The timing is significant as Trump begins his second term with promises to broker comprehensive Middle East peace.

Bahrain praised Trump's public assurance that the West Bank would remain untouched as part of his broader regional peace efforts. This represents a notable shift from typical Gulf diplomatic language, which rarely references specific US presidential positions so directly.

The ministry called on the international community to meet its legal and moral obligations regarding the situation. It urged Israel to halt what it described as escalatory and illegal actions that undermine stability.

For investors and regional watchers, Bahrain's statement reflects the delicate balance Gulf states maintain between their normalization agreements with Israel and traditional support for Palestinian rights. The kingdom normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, but continues to advocate for a two-state solution.

Bahrain emphasized that Palestinians deserve their legitimate rights to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The ministry argued this path remains essential for achieving lasting peace and ensuring regional security and stability.

The statement shows how Gulf states are navigating the complex dynamics between their warming ties with Israel, their relationships with Washington, and their stated commitment to Palestinian statehood. This balancing act will likely become more challenging if settlement expansion continues under the new Israeli laws.