Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qasem has said that the endorsement of some Arab states of the Emirati-Israeli normalisation deal will encourage the Israeli occupation to enforce its expansionist policies in the region.

Qasem’s remarks in response to Bahrain’s decision to allow all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, including Israeli flights, to cross its airspace following Saudi Arabia’s lead.   

All Arab states should have prevented the UAE from signing a normalisation agreement with the Israeli occupation, instead of supporting it in this “approach which is hostile to the rights of our Palestinian people and that encourages the Israeli occupation to commit more crimes.”

Qasem called on all countries in the region seeking normalisation of ties with the Israeli occupation to backtrack on this move, which is against their national interests and the national Arab security.