Bahrain absence for anti-Israel vote a 'forward escape tactic': Analyst

International human rights lawyer and political commentator Edward Corrigan says Bahrain’s absence for a vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on a resolution condemning Israeli violations in the occupied territories reflects public anger over normalization of ties with Tel Aviv. 

“I am very sure that the vast majority of people in Bahrain do not support this decision to sell out Palestinians. I believe that the decision to be absent at the vote is a reflection of the lack of support for this decision in Bahrain,” Corrigan said in an exclusive interview with Press TV .

He went on to say that Bahrain’s decision breaks a long-standing Arab consensus on the question of Israel's gross violation of Palestinians’ human rights, and smacks of a "forward escape" tactic as the Persian Gulf kingdom has a terrible human rights record towards its own citizens.

Corrigan noted that the Manama regime has apparently reaped nothing from its recognition of Israel and trampling on the rights of Palestinians.

UAE, Bahrain sign normalization deals with Israel at White House

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain sign controversial normalization agreements with Israel at the White House.

He said Bahraini authorities were banking on support from powerful Israeli lobbies in the United States as well as the administration of former US president Donald Trump, but the election of Joe Biden crushed all their dreams.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed agreements with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani during an official ceremony hosted by former US president Donald Trump at the White House on September 15 last year.

Palestinians, who seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Stripwith East Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital, view the deals as a betrayal of their cause.

Corrigan also said support for Palestinian human rights is gaining tremendous momentum across the globe, noting that the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 23 passed the anti-Israel resolution with an overwhelming majority. It was adopted by a vote of 22 to 6, with 8 abstentions.

“This vote was interesting as many European countries that traditionally vote against, or abstain, such resolutions critical of Israel voted in favor. These included Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Only Austria and Bulgaria voted no. Interestingly, the Great Britain, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and even India abstained. This indicates that there is a growing consensus that European countries are supporting human rights for Palestinians,” the commentator told Press TV.

Bahrain absent at UN rights council vote to condemn Israeli violations

Bahrain’s absence came as a “surprise” and was contrary to the usual approach adopted by the Arab nations.

“Another major development is that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is taking steps to investigate Israel for war crimes. Former US president Trump strongly opposed this action and even sanctioned members of the ICJ for taking such steps.

“The new US President Joe Biden has canceled these sanctions. The ICJ investigation of Israel's crimes against the Palestinians is a positive step,” Corrigan said.

The analyst then criticized attempts by a number of Arab states to normalize relations with Israel, saying such bids have undercut major steps being taken in the international community in support of Palestinians.

“It shows that conservative Arab states are weak and dependent on the United States and Britain, and are acting against the interests of Palestinians, the Arab consensus, the views of their own nations and those of the Muslim world,” Corrigan said.

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