Photo Credit: Spokesperson of the Office of the President
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed receives condolences on the death of his brother, president of the United Arab Emirates, from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, in Abu Dhabi on May 15, 2022

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog is facing hate from citizens in Bahrain as he prepares for Sunday’s visit to the Abraham Accords member nation.

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued the invitation for Herzog’s state visit, to be the first by an Israeli head of state.

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Herzog is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates on Monday, where he will meet with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), ruler of Abu Dhabi. He will also attend the Abu Dhabi Space Debate during his stay.

The Israeli president is scheduled to meet with senior government officials as well as with members of the tiny local Jewish community. He is leading a group of Israeli business leaders who will meet with the Bahrain Economic Development Board during the visit.

But security for Herzog by the Shin Bet intelligence agency has been upgraded in light of Bahraini opposition hate being spewed on social media and in street rallies, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.

One post featured the Israeli president with red eyes and a fire behind him. “Criminal,” the caption read. “You are not welcome in Bahrain.”

A separate post charged bluntly, “All normalization is an act of treason. Do not come.”

In addition, Bahraini protesters took to the streets to demonstrate against the Israeli president’s visit.

The protesters, associated with pro-Iran opposition groups, chanted “Death to Israel” during rallies on Friday against Herzog’s visit, according to Ynet.

Demonstrations were reported in Karrana, Diraz and Sitra – but all were peaceful.


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Hana Levi Julian is a Middle East news analyst with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. A past columnist with The Jewish Press and senior editor at Arutz 7, Ms. Julian has written for Babble.com, Chabad.org and other media outlets, in addition to her years working in broadcast journalism.