After declining to shake hands with the country’s Israeli ambassador earlier this month, the head of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities was sacked from her position, according to a report in Doha News.
Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa was dismissed following the incident, which happened on June 16 at the residence of Stephen Bundy, the US envoy to Bahrain. Bundy was well-known for his opposition to normalisation with Israel.
At a funeral reception to mark the death of his father, Bundy’s home was filled with ambassadors and government representatives.
Sheikha Mai was reportedly introduced to the Israeli ambassador at the occasion, but she withdrew her hand in what was perceived as a political snub. Sheikha Mai reportedly left the residence of the US ambassador and asked that pictures of her visiting the monument not be published.
A few days later, Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa was named the new president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, according to King Hamad bin Isa’s announcement.
The Sheikh Ibrahim Centre for Culture and Research is also led by Sheikha Mai, who was apparently abroad when the news was made. Ilan Pappe, an anti-zionist scholar and novelist, was invited by Sheikha Mai at the centre last year for a conference that was criticised as “a blow” to normalisation initiatives.
In a deal that was mediated by the US during the closing months of former US President Donald Trump’s administration, Bahrain and the UAE normalised their relations with Israel in September 2020. Shortly after, Sudan and Morocco did the same.
In opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestine, the nations had previously declined to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. The agreements disproved a long-standing Arab belief that normal relations with Israel shouldn’t begin until the latter has reached a comprehensive peace agreement with the Palestinians.
The normalisation agreements have been denounced as a “stab in the back” of their respective populations by both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
She got online support
Many flocked to Twitter to express support and solidarity for the Bahraini minister’s move.
One such user was Al Jazeera’s journalist Ghada Oueiss saying: “She refused to shake hands with the occupier, so the King of Bahrain dismissed her from her position. She lost her position and gained herself and the respect and love of people. Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, all respect to you.”
Another user described Sheikha Mai’s move as a “heroic stance”.
“She lost her position after refusing to shake hands with the ‘Israeli’ ambassador! But it earned her principles and the appreciation of millions,” another wrote.
“She did not lose her position, but the position has lost out on her,” a Twitter user said.
Expressing her appreciation for the pouring of support of love on social media, Sheikha Mai wrote: “From the heart, a thousand thanks for every message I received, only love protects and strengthens us”.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
