Bahraini MPs urge tough action against Israel

Manama: Bahrain's lower house has called for the reopening of the Israel boycott office, the use of the oil as a weapon and the closure of US bases in the country to protest the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the perceived US support.

The boycott office was shut down in 2005 as a US condition to sign a free trade agreement with Bahrain and the decision was then endorsed by the bicameral parliament.

However, the Israeli war on Gaza, today in its twentieth day, has prompted the MPs to press for the reopening of the office and for the boycott of US products.

No diplomatic relations

"We should not be buying US products when the Israelis are using US weapons to slaughter our brothers, sisters and children in Gaza," said Nasser Al Fadhala, MP for the Islamic Menbar, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. "We must put an end to all initiatives and communication with the Israelis and reopen the boycott office."

Bahrain, like most Arab countries, has no diplomatic relations with Israel. However, in September, it called for the formation of a regional forum that brings together Arab countries, Turkey, Iran and Israel.

The initiative won much support despite resistance from some MPs, but is now likely to be shelved as a result of the attacks on Gaza, that have intensified animosity towards Israel and brought countries supporting them under fire.

MP Eisa Abu Al Fateh reiterated a call made earlier this month to use oil as a weapon and to withdraw investments in order to bring pressure on the countries supporting the Israelis. "Israel will not understand the language of peace unless there is enough power to offset its plans," he said. Others said that all US army and navy bases in the region should be closed.

Jalal Fairuz, MP for Al Wefaq, said that a general boycott of Israeli companies in the Arab world would give Arabs a significant edge.

"There are around 300 Zionist companies with interests in the Arab world, many of which are operating normally but with others working under various guises. We have a great boycott power and we should use it. All Arab countries that have any form of trade deal with the Zionists should drop it," he said during a debate on the situation in Gaza.