The aggression against Gaza continues without stopping, mercy or humanity. There is no voice that rises above the sound of aggression, and silence prevails on the Arab side, except for a small third of the peoples of this nation who come out in demonstrations and demand an end to the aggression and an end to the bloodbaths that flow daily in the land of Palestine. It is a terrible, shameful and humiliating sound. Who can speak in an atmosphere of oppression and persecution under unjust regimes that do not care for a believer unless he has a duty or obligation? It is a bad time in which the occupier becomes the master of the situation and tyrannical regimes rush to normalize relations with this occupier. This is not enough for them. Rather, they target anyone who raises his voice in protest against the aggression, arrest him, torture him, put him in prisons, and issue the harshest punishments against him. Isn’t this what is happening in Bahrain today because its authentic people refuse to remain silent and let down the oppressed in the lands of Palestine? He is protesting against the ruling gang that insists on building bridges with the enemy through normalization, which citizens reject without hesitation and consider those who practice it to be traitors to the cause, outlaws and perpetrators of the worst crimes. The Bahrani citizen has never abandoned his humanitarian, Islamic, and Arab responsibilities. What is more, he opposes the ruling gang, which refuses to issue a national Bahrani voice condemning the occupation and calling for severing ties with it, and considers whoever does that a traitor to God, His Messenger, and his nation.
The people know that they live in this bad time in which rule is monopolized by groups, families, and individuals who are supported by Westerners without hesitation because they implement their plans and policies. Aren’t Bahrain’s prisons overcrowded with inmates including scholars, thinkers, media professionals, and poets? Al-Khalifis know that if these detainees were outside the cells, they would not have failed the people of Palestine and would have stood up to the leadership of the people in daily demonstrations and challenging the policies of normalization without limits. The Al-Khalifi tyrant is aware of these facts, and therefore he insists on keeping these people behind bars. He adds to them daily numbers of young people and children who refuse to remain silent and remain silent or abandon the Palestinian cause, so they demonstrate daily in the streets of villages and cities, chanting the freedom of Palestine and the defeat of the occupation, and denouncing those who extend their hands to save those who occupy the land of the Ascension. Despite this persecution and repression, Bahrain stands out as one of the most important countries whose people have proven their loyalty to God, His Messenger, and the land of the Ascension, and have endured harm in order to convey the voice of the oppressed to the world.
We wonder here: Where are our sacrifices in exchange for the horrific killing of children, women and men on a daily, non-stop basis? We also ask: Where is humanity? Where is the so-called free world? Where are the Arab rulers? Where are the Arab peoples? It is true that these peoples sympathize without limits with the people of Palestine and reject the Israeli aggression that does not stop, but this requires public, honest and serious positions. These situations may result in arrest and imprisonment. Is this too much for someone who wants to stand in solidarity with his brothers, practice his humanity, and refuse to abandon his morals and values? The Bahraini prisoners were also sincere in their positions. They signed statements of support for the people of Palestine and denounced the Israeli aggression, and they signed them with their names, and they did not fear any of the enemies of humanity, because God protects them and gives them victory, as He is the supporter of the oppressed in Gaza and everywhere. In doing so, they record for history that the Bahraini people did not abandon their oppressed brothers in Palestine. He demonstrated in the streets, protested behind bars, and participated in the marches that roamed the streets of Bahrain and beyond. Blessed are this people and this country, and shame on the criminal gang that continues to establish its relations with the enemy and refuses to provide real support to the people of Palestine.
Someone might say that the Bahraini government is weak, has limited influence, and cannot provide much. The answer to this is that it is able to raise the issue within the Gulf Cooperation Council, to which it belongs, and it can also tell the Americans that unless they stop supporting the aggression against Palestine, we are considering closing the American base in Bahrain. It can also encourage its sisters in the Gulf Cooperation Council, including the Sultanate of Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar, to contribute to the project to stop the aggression, besiege the aggressor politically, economically, and diplomatically, and support the oppressed in Gaza. It is certain that it can expel the Zionist ambassador from Manama, close the enemy’s embassy, and allow citizens to go out in large marches in solidarity with Gaza and denouncing the Israeli aggression. But it refuses to do any of that and insists on continuing its repressive policies against those who support Palestine, and is hostile to resistance figures with unparalleled hostility. Didn’t you arrest dozens of young people and children because of their participation in memorial marches for the martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who was assassinated by the Zionist hand, and a large number of resistance symbols? Did you not harass the scholars who issued statements in support of the people of Gaza and threaten them with imprisonment and torture if they continued to issue statements of support on a regular basis? The issue of Palestine and its repercussions have become an additional reason for the escalation of repression and persecution against the Arab peoples to prevent the arrival of humanitarian supplies from Bahraini youth abroad.
Today, the nation stands at a crossroads between being or not being, between standing with the oppressed and standing up to the oppressor, or remaining silent, letting down the victims, and letting the death machine claim the lives of human beings without accountability. This nation knows that its people in Palestine suffer from daily killing. As for their wounded, they do not receive the required medical care, because the enemy targets medical teams and hospitals with inhumane destruction and in front of the photographers’ lenses, because it does not fear a real reaction as long as it enjoys unlimited American and European support. If Netanyahu felt that he would face a real challenge from these people, he would not have committed his crimes, which he has never stopped since October 7 of last year. This nation will stand before its Lord and before history and will be held accountable if it does not carry out its effective duty, which will practically affect the situation and make the people of Palestine feel that there is someone who is thinking about them, defending them, providing them with material and moral support, and saving them from famine. Reports confirm that the people of Gaza are facing hunger due to the permanent siege imposed by the American-backed occupation forces, and the relief support provided by Westerners does not change this fact, which sometimes consists of dropping aid by parachute. Westerners can issue a decision to cancel the Zionist decision issued this week to prevent UNRWA, which is concerned with providing support to the people of Palestine. It is one of the ugliest decisions that challenges humanity and practically imposes a tight siege on the Palestinian territories. This organization is considered the most important source of providing food to the hungry in Gaza, and preventing it means issuing a death sentence by death by starvation on the children, women and men of Gaza, and thus confirms the saying that the occupation practices genocide as a fixed policy in all its forms: with field killings and comprehensive bombing that turned Gaza into rubble, tearing apart the body parts of children, and starving those He survives the daily, non-stop bombardment carried out by enemy aircraft. What world do we live in? How were morals, values, and humanity absent from its major international institutions, such as the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League, and the Non-Aligned Organization? What is the value of this humanity if it abandons its values and leaves some sectors of it to die of hunger while many in the West and even the Islamic world also live in levels of gluttony and opulence without limits?
Oh God, have mercy on our righteous martyrs, make them sincere with You, and release our prisoners, O Lord of the Worlds.
Ahrar Bahrain Islamic Movement
November 1, 2024
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sayed, an esteemed expert on Middle Eastern politics and social movements. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza and the implications for the Arab world, particularly in Bahrain.
Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sayed: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial time to discuss these issues, as they resonate deeply within our societies.
Editor: The article paints a dire picture of ongoing aggression against Gaza, highlighting the lack of unified responses from Arab nations. Why do you think there is such a disparity between the grassroots support for Palestine and the actions of Arab leaders?
Dr. Al-Sayed: It’s disheartening, isn’t it? Many people across the Arab world empathize with the plight of the Palestinians and openly protest for their rights. However, Arab rulers often prioritize their regimes’ stability and relationships with Western powers over the collective Arab sentiment. This creates a disconnect between the populations and their governments, leading to silence or muted responses at the leadership level.
Editor: The article mentions that “tyrannical regimes rush to normalize relations” with Israel. Can you elaborate on how normalization impacts the citizens who oppose such actions?
Dr. Al-Sayed: Absolutely. Normalization, especially in the context of ongoing aggression, is seen as a betrayal by many citizens. In Bahrain, for example, peaceful protests against normalization have been met with severe repression. When governments choose to maintain relations with an aggressor rather than support the victims, they alienate their own citizens, leading to widespread discontent and, often, crackdowns on dissent.
Editor: You highlight the important role of Bahrain in this discourse. The article describes Bahraini citizens’ protests against their government’s stance towards Israel. What are the potential consequences for those who dare to speak out in this environment?
Dr. Al-Sayed: Those who protest or express support for Palestine face significant risks, including arrest, torture, and imprisonment. Bahraini authorities have a history of stifling dissent, particularly when it comes to issues that challenge their policies or relationships with Western nations. This creates a climate of fear and silence, but it also galvanizes some segments of the population to continue protesting, as we see with the youth and activists who remain undeterred.
Editor: The article questions the morality of the international community, calling out the ”so-called free world.” In your view, where does responsibility lie for the ongoing violence in Gaza?
Dr. Al-Sayed: The responsibility is multi-faceted. First and foremost, the Israeli government bears direct responsibility for the violence against Palestinians. However, international actors, especially the U.S. and European nations, play a significant role by providing military, political, and financial support to Israel. This creates an environment where aggressors feel emboldened. Moreover, Arab leaders have a responsibility to advocate for their people and stand against such injustices, rather than enabling them through normalization.
Editor: The article mentions the overcrowding of Bahraini prisons with dissidents advocating for Palestine. How can the international community assist in shedding light on this issue?
Dr. Al-Sayed: International awareness and advocacy are crucial. Human rights organizations and concerned nations should document these violations and call for the release of political prisoners. Amplifying the voices of those who are oppressed can not only provide moral support but also pressure governments to reconsider repressive policies. Additionally, promoting dialogue and engagement among Arab nations could foster a collective response that aligns more closely with the will of the people.
Editor: In closing, as a scholar observing this situation, what message would you like to convey to the citizens of Bahrain and other Arab nations who are struggling between supporting Palestine and facing government repression?
Dr. Al-Sayed: I want them to know that speaking out is vital, even in the face of oppression. Their voices matter in the fight for justice and dignity, not only for the people of Palestine but also for their own rights. Change often starts at the grassroots level, and history has shown that perseverance in the pursuit of justice can lead to significant transformations. Together, they can build a future that honors their values and supports their oppressed brothers and sisters.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Al-Sayed, for sharing your insights today. The issues facing Gaza and the broader Middle East deserve our attention, and it’s crucial to foster discussions like these to advocate for justice and human rights.
Dr. Al-Sayed: Thank you, it’s been a pleasure to discuss these very important issues with you.