DUBAI: An interfaith group from Bahrain said it had sent a delegation to Israel to promote “tolerance and coexistence”, at a time of Arab anger over the fate of Jerusalem.

The non-governmental organisation, which calls itself “This is Bahrain”, insisted it had no official status, though its mission statements say it has the backing of King Hamad.

This is the first public visit by a Bahraini delegation to Israel, which Manama — like most Arab capitals — does not recognise.

Reports in Palestinian media said the delegation was barred from visiting the Al Aqsa Mosque in annexed east Jerusalem on Sunday.

The organiser of the trip, however, declined to confirm, and the Islamic body that governs the site said that while no visit took place, they had not explicitly banned them.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre which organised the delegation’s visit, said it was made up of 25 inter-religious leaders from Bahrain.

“About one-third of them are Muslims, there are Christians and two Buddhists,” he said. “It’ not a political visit so there was no request to see politicians.”

The visit sparked angry reactions on social media and by other NGOs in Bahrain, especially as it comes within days of US President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

This is Bahrain issued a statement — carried by state news agency BNA — insisting the visit was unofficial.

“The delegation, which includes some foreign nationals from different religions residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain, does not represent any official body in the kingdom,” it said. “The delegation represents solely the society and has undertaken the visit on its own initiative.”

The NGO, which received its official licence in May, said the trip was part of an initiative to visit several European countries and the United States.

Israeli media published pictures of the NGO delegation in Jerusalem, triggering angry reactions condemning the visit. A small protest occurred in the Gaza Strip on Monday morning, sparked by apparently false rumours the delegation would visit the Palestinian enclave.

Fifth day of protests Meanwhile, the Middle East saw a fifth day of protests over Trump’s Jerusalem move.

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Lebanon. Hezbollah, which fought a war with Israel in 2006, organised the demonstration in Beirut’s southern suburbs that saw tens of thousands chanting “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” Further protests were held in Iran and the Palestinian territories.

In Tehran, a few hundred diehard Iranian conservatives rallied against Israel and said Trump had hastened its demise with his decision.

In Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, dozens of Palestinians threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets in return in the latest such clash.

“We came here against Trump’s decision and we want to send a message that Jerusalem is and will stay our capital, and we will stay to defend it,” one protester in a black ski mask said.

There were also low-level clashes in Hebron and the Gaza Strip. Some 27 Palestinians were wounded by live fire or rubber bullets throughout the day, the Red Crescent said.

Palestinian demonstrations have declined in number and intensity since reaching a peak on Friday, but there are concerns they will again increase later this week.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2017