An Israeli delegation attended a business conference in Bahrain this week, an official tells Israeli television, contradicting statements by organizers that the visit was called off over security fears.
A number of Israeli officials, including Economy Minister Eli Cohen, were scheduled to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Congress that opened in Manama on Monday,
At least three Israeli speakers, including the Israel Innovation Authority’s deputy chief, Anya Eldan, were scheduled to speak at the conference.
“While we advised the Israeli delegation they would be welcome, they decided this morning not to come due to security concerns and a wish not to cause disruption for the other 180 nations participating,” the organization’s president Jonathan Ortmans told Reuters earlier this week.
But an Israeli official tells Channel 13 the Israelis arrived at the conference as planned and held a series of meetings on its sidelines.
Last month members of the Bahrain parliament said they were against hosting Israeli speakers in the nation, which — like most Arab countries — does not recognize the Jewish state.
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