The move by one of Israel's Gulf Arab allies is "in support of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people", according to Bahrain's lower house of parliament.Bahrain, which violently cracked down on pro-democracy protests in 2011, has seen a series of demonstrations in recent weeks denouncing Israel's reprisal attacks. / Photo: Reuters
On Thursday, Israel's foreign ministry said it had not been notified of any decision by Bahrain. If confirmed, it would be the first such move by one of Israel's Gulf Arab allies. "Economic relations with Israel have also been halted," said the statement from the lower house, which does not have executive powers.
"We would like to clarify that no announcement or decision has been received from the government of Bahrain and the government of Israel regarding the return of the ambassadors of these countries," Israel's foreign ministry said.The move comes nearly one month after Hamas killed 1,400 people and kidnapped more than 230, according to Israeli officials, in the deadliest attack in the country's history.