Alzayani: Bahrain will import from Israel even if goods originate from 'disputed territories'

(Patria) - We will not distinguish imports from Israel based on whether products originate from Israel or disputed territories, stated the Bahraini Minister of Trade on Thursday, sparking anger and disapproval from Palestinians.

Let us recall that Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates formalized relations with Israel on September 15th with the mediation of the US, on the condition that the continuation of the annexation of parts of the Palestinian West Bank announced by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu would no longer be mentioned.

However, Bahrain's Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani, made it clear that his country is open to imports from Jewish settlements located in Palestinian territories.

- We will treat Israeli products as Israeli products. There is no need for an origin label, the minister reiterated to Reuters during a visit to Israel.

According to European Union guidelines, products originating from Jewish settlements located in Palestinian territories should be precisely labeled as such when exported to EU member states.

The Trump administration last month abolished the requirement for a customs label specifying the origin of goods coming from Israel.

It is not yet known what the stance of other Gulf countries is regarding imports from Israeli settlements.

Israel expects trade exchange with Bahrain in 2021 to amount to about 220 million dollars, in addition to new business deals in the fields of defense and tourism.

Al-Zayani also announced that Gulf Air will start flights to Tel Aviv on January 7th.