Bahrain's crown prince, Shaloum discuss the situations of Bahraini Jews
Bahrain-Israel, Politics, 6/25/2003

The Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot yesterday issued a report on the meeting which brought together Bahrain's crown prince Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa with the Israeli foreign minister Shalom Silvan during which he gave him assurances on the condition of the small Jewish community living in Bahrain.

Sheikh Salman and Silvan held a meeting last Sunday on the sideline of the world economic forum in Jordan, at the request of the Israeli minister. According to the paper, discussions dealt between them on the Jewish community which lives in Bahrain.

The Bahrain prince briefed the Israeli minister on the situation of the Bahrain Jewish community, noting that this community is composed of 35 families living in Bahrain since 100 years. He expressed his pride over the Jewish community and described it as an example for peaceful coexistence between Arabs and Jews, noting that history proves that this relation has been very good through out the years.

The Israeli minister questioned the origin of the Jewish community in Bahrain and he was told by the Crown Prince that they had come from Iraq just more than 100 years and are from Kadouri family. He added that Jews in Bahrain enjoy the full freedom of worship and preserve their religion and they have a Rabbi, a Synagogue and a Jewish cemetery.

During his meeting with Silvan, Sheikh Salman said that the Arabs should recognize the catastrophe of the Jews during the Holocaust so as to understand their nature. He vowed to improve relations with Israel if progress is made on the implementation of the Roadmap to peace. According to officials in Bahrain, Sivan asked for two demands represented in opening an Israeli liaison office in Manama similar to the Israeli office in Qatar as well as exchanging visits between the two countries. The answer to the two requests was negative. The crown prince told the Israeli minister that relations will not be normalized between the two countries until the peace process is completed.

On the other hand, the Bahrain's Gulf news said that journalists and activists will be presented on July 5th before the supreme criminal court on charge of defaming authorized judges.

Previous Stories:
  Bahraini societies criticizes information minister Nabil al-Homer   (6/12/2003)
  Bahrain, stands against normalization with Israel   (5/8/2001)
  One Jew and four women, including one Christian at Bahrain's Shoura council   (9/28/2000)
  Bahrain crown prince and ME negotiation tracks   (2/2/2000)
  Bahraini crown prince meets with Peres in Davos   (1/31/2000)

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