Bahrain Allows Israeli Journalists Admittance to Cover U.S. Peace Summit

TEL AVIV – Six Israeli media outlets have been given permission to attend and cover next week’s U.S.-led economic peace workshop in Bahrain, days after the White House’s announcement that no Israeli government officials would be allowed to attend.

Members of Israel’s business community will be in attendance.

At this rate it may also happen without press coverage, because the organizers still haven't confirmed to any of us in the Middle East where it's being held, if we're accredited, or if we have visas to enter the country https://t.co/XNmDirErC3

— Gregg Carlstrom (@glcarlstrom) June 17, 2019

Bahrain awarded six journalists visas following a request by senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, Channel 13 reported.

The Times of Israel, Haaretz, Jerusalem Post, Israel Hayom, and TV channels 12 and 13 received formal invitations from a Washington, DC-based strategic communications company.

Bahrain green-lighting the Israeli journalists’ attendance is unprecedented.

only the following media were invited: Haaretz, TOI, JP, Israel Hayom, Channel 12,13.
While @globesnews is a leading media on business, tech, infrastructure, commerce, banking and more it is disappointing that we shall not be allowed to take part. #PeaceToProsperity

— ‏Tal Schneider טל שניידר تال شنايدر (@talschneider) June 19, 2019

In a tweet, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt said Bahrain is one of the nations working “to see if peace can be achieved.” He added that the U.S. “very much appreciates Bahrain’s efforts.”

He also said in an interview with i24 news that the decision not to have Israeli government officials comes after the Palestinians snubbed the Manama summit.

“Without the Palestinian Authority there, having the Israeli government there makes it more political. Our mission is really about unveiling the economic plan, showing it to the countries that would donate money down the road, if they were interested, showing it to the Palestinian people. There will be a time when we can benefit from the Israeli government expertise and knowledge. It doesn’t have to be next week.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ spokesman on Tuesday vowed that the PA leadership would do everything to “thwart all conspiracies and workshops” aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“Every meeting held in Bahrain or anywhere else without representation from the legitimate Palestinian leadership underscores Washington’s inability to succeed in achieving anything,” Nabil Abu Rudeineh said.