Bahrainis take stand against 'systematic genocide'

Thousands of Bahrainis marched on the streets of Manama on Friday to demand the lifting of the Israeli siege on Gaza, in solidarity with a call by Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah for open protest until the siege is lifted.

Protesters raised Hezbollah flags and pictures of Nasrallah alongside the Palestinian and Bahraini flags, chanting “Death to America, Death to Israel”.

Marchers said the situation in the occupied territories was “systematic genocide” as civilians were deprived of energy, food and medicine.

They accused Western and Arab governments of responsibility through their silence over the Israeli action.

Ebrahim Kamal, general secretary of Bahrain’s Society for Resisting Normalisation with the Zionist Enemy, said the march was the result of a call by four organisations in the Arab world.

These included the Summit of Arab Parties, the National Conference and the Islamic Conference, plus Nasrallah’s organisation.

The march ended with clashes with police after rioters demanded the release of Bahraini detainees who were arrested last year for taking part in violent protests.—Sapa-dp