Use oil as weapon to help end Gaza bombing, Bahraini MPs urge

Manama: Bahrain's MPs have called upon the Arab states to use the oil weapon and their investments in the West as bargaining chips to help end the Israeli bombing campaigns on Gaza.

The MPs also piled up pressure on the government by asking it to freeze its bold initiative for peace with Israel and the reopening of the anti-Israel office it closed in 2005. "As we condemn the Israeli ruthless attacks and criminal acts that violate all international agreements and covenants, we demand that all retaliation options remain open for Arab governments," the lower house said.

"These include using the economic weapons such as oil and the huge investments and funds that Arabs have in the West. Such options should influence the current situation on the ground and lead the West to reconsider their biased attitudes against the Palestinians," the MPs said during a meeting with Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, the Foreign Minister, to discuss Bahrain's actions regarding the raids.

The MPs told the minister that the initiative he first announced in September to form a forum that brings together all Arab states, Turkey, Iran and Israel to promote peace in the region, should be suspended, arguing that "the Zionists still prefer wars and killings over diplomacy."

The initiative has become controversial, where several MPs have opposed it while social activists and columnists have openly supported it. The peace talks have gained international backing, mainly from the US, Britain, France, Turkey and Japan.

Bahrain's decision to close the anti-Israel office in 2005 as part of the requirements of a free trade agreement signed with the US was also called into question by the MPs at the meeting, signalling a strong reverse in people's attitudes, and amplified by the Israeli bombing campaigns on Gaza.

Thousands of people have been staging daily rallies in Manama, the capital, and in major cities to protest against the Israeli bombardments, and on Friday hundreds of children braved strong winds and cold temperature to participate in a demonstration.

King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa called for the formation of a committee, chaired by his son Shaikh Nasser, the head of the Royal Charity Foundation, to coordinate aid for the Palestinians. The committee yesterday sent 80 tonnes of medical assistance to the Palestinians.

Last week, the King ordered the cancellation of all festivities marking the New Year in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.