Prominent Bahraini dissident Ibrahim Sharif was arrested on 20 December
for condemning Bahrain's joining the maritime coalition against Yemen
Sharif, reflecting the view of many in Bahrain both Sunni and Shia, had this to say in his posts of 19 December:
the government of Bahrain offers itself to the American coalition
without any regard for the stance of the Bahraini people, who strongly
support our besieged Palestinian people who are being slaughtered in
Gaza.
All Arab and Islamic countries, including those with ports
overlooking the Red Sea, refrained from participating in this aggressive
alliance.
He wondered why "the unelected government of Bahrain offered itself
as a legitimate 'analyst' for the US coalition to lift the blockade
imposed by Yemen on the ports of the usurping Zionist entity?"
That was enough to put the wind up the authorities who arrested him at his Manama home within hours of the postings.
A Bahraini oppositionist who spoke to Arab Digest confirmed that
there is widespread support for Palestine in Sunni and Shia communities.
“Arresting Ebrahim Sharif is a move that underlines just how out of
touch the Al Khalifa are with the majority of Bahrainis in both
communities.” The source noted that the government had already banned
any street demonstrations in support of the Palestinians, fearful that
the protests will be used to air the many other grievances people hold
against the ruling family.
Given the strong public support for the Palestinian cause the source
said the expectation is that rather than a lengthy jail term Sharif will
be held for “a few days or a few weeks” and then released.
Late Thursday the Public Prosecutor ordered his detention for seven
days pending investigation on the charge of "spreading false news during
wartime." Insofar as Bahrain is not at war the charge on the face of it
is gratuitous. However the Bahraini judicial system is not overly
concerned with the finer points of law and if he was so charged and
convicted the veteran dissident would face a lengthy jail term.
With such a threat hanging over him Sharif may not want to risk
challenging the authorities again. Regardless, what is certain is that
Bahrain is a bellwether for other Gulf states and regimes throughout the
Middle East who find themselves caught between a desire to appease
Israel and their populations’ support for Palestinians. As the IDF
continues to prosecute its brutal Gaza war with casualties now rising
above 20,000, the vast majority civilians and among them many women and
children, the divide between MENA rulers and their subjects will only
grow.