Israeli delegation cancels visit amid opposition by lawmakers

An Israeli delegation that was supposed to take part in a business event in the Kingdom has canceled its trip amidst controversy, it was revealed.

The development comes after Bahraini parliamentarians put up an extensive campaign against Israeli participation at the event. The delegation stated that it pulled out due to “security concerns”. Thirty Israeli business executives and government officials were scheduled to participate in the 11th Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) 2019 organized by the US-based Global Entrepreneurship Network.

“While we advised the Israeli delegation they would be welcomed, they decided this morning not to come due to security concerns and a wish not to cause disruption to other 180 nations participating,” Jonathan Ortmans, GEN president, said in a statement. Bahrain government had previously denied that it invited the delegation, stating that the invitation to the Israeli delegation was a sole initiative of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.