Bahrain's imports from Israel will not be subject to distinctions between products made inside the Green Line and those from communities in Judea and Samaria, the Bahraini trade minister said on Thursday, drawing a rebuke from the Palestinians.
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates formalized ties with Israel on Sept. 15, in a US-sponsored deal billed by the Gulf countries as being made possible by Israel's shelving of a plan to extend sovereignty to communities beyond the Green Line.
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But Bahrain's Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani voiced openness to settlement imports.
"We will treat Israeli products as Israeli products. So we have no issue with labeling or origin," he told Reuters during a visit to Israel.
Al-Zayani's remarks were condemned by Wasel Abu Youssef of the Palestine Liberation Organization as "contradicting international and UN resolutions".
He urged Arab countries not to import products from within Israel, either, in order to prevent it "stretching into Arab markets to strengthen its economy."
Israel expects trade with Bahrain worth around $220 million in 2021, not including possible defense and tourism deals.
Al-Zayani said Bahraini carrier Gulf Air was tentatively scheduled to begin flights to Tel Aviv on Jan. 7, with shipping to follow.
"We are fascinated by how integrated IT and innovation sector in Israel has been embedded in every facet of life," he said.
He played down speculation in Israel that its citizens visiting Bahrain could be at risk of reprisals for the assassination last Friday of a top Iranian nuclear scientist, which Tehran blamed on Israeli agents.
"We don't see any threats, and therefore we don't see any requirement for additional security or special treatment for Israelis," he said.
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