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Bahrain has recalled its ambassador to Israel and suspended economic ties with the country, according to a statement on the website of the Bahraini lower house of parliament.
The announcement was made as Israel continues to wage war in Gaza.
“The House of Representatives confirms that the Israeli ambassador to the kingdom of Bahrain has left Bahrain, and the kingdom of Bahrain decided to recall the Bahraini ambassador from Israel to the country. Economic relations with Israel have also been halted,” the parliament statement said.
“The parliament affirms that the continuation of war and military operations, and the continuing Israeli escalation in light of the lack of respect for international humanitarian law, prompts it to demand more decisions and measures that preserve the lives of innocent people and civilians in Gaza and all Palestinian areas.”
State media later confirmed the decision, saying the ambassador to Israel has returned to the kingdom and the Israeli ambassador to Bahrain departed the country “some time ago”.
No official confirmation of a move to downgrade or sever diplomatic ties has been announced by Bahrain's government.
Israel later denied the claims.
“We would like to clarify that no notification or decision has been received from the Bahraini government or the Israeli government to recall the countries' ambassadors,” read a press release from Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat.
“The relations between Israel and Bahrain are stable.”
Bahrain formally established ties with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords.
The UAE, Sudan and Morocco have also normalised relations with Israel under the agreement.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani conveyed a message of “solidarity and support” in a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday in Ramallah.
He called on Israel to implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, where 9,061 people have been killed, including 3,760 children and 2,326 women since the war began, according to a Gaza Health Ministry tally released on Thursday.
King Hamad also called for peace in Gaza in a recent meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed in Abu Dhabi.
Bahrain’s House of Representatives is the elected lower house of the kingdom’s bicameral national assembly. The upper house is a 40-member Shura Council, appointed by the king.
Bahrain's government decisions are usually announced by Bahrain’s state official news agency or the foreign ministry, neither of which have released any official statement confirming the statement by parliament.
Two members of Bahrain’s Shura Council who were contacted by The National said they were not aware of the House of Representatives’ statement published on Thursday afternoon.
“To my understanding, all the Israeli ambassadors from many countries were called back by their government over the past several weeks. To my understanding, both leadership and government have made no such announcements yet on halting trade relations,” one Shura Council member told The National.
Israel's continued attacks on the Gaza Strip have elicited fierce condemnation from across the region.
Hamas said that 195 people were killed and hundreds more injured in Israeli air strikes on the Jabalia refugee camp on Tuesday, prompting responses from Cairo, Amman and Doha – with the latter warning that continued attacks may harm mediation efforts.
Last year, Israel and Bahrain said they were aiming to sign a free trade agreement in the near future but never reached a final deal. In 2021, imports and exports between Israel and Bahrain exceeded $3.5 billion.
In May last year, Israel forged a free trade deal with the UAE, its first with an Arab country, that officials estimated would increase trade from $1.2 billion to $10 billion over the next five years.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
EPL's youngest
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Director: Andres Muschietti
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
