According to ehistorylib, in 2005, Bahrain had a population of approximately 750,000 people. The majority of the population was of Arab descent, with significant minorities from other ethnic backgrounds. The economy was largely driven by oil and gas production and refining, followed by manufacturing and banking services. In terms of foreign relations, Bahrain maintained diplomatic ties with most countries in the region as well as major powers such as the United States and European Union.
The politics of Bahrain in 2005 were relatively stable due to a successful transition to a constitutional monarchy after decades of British colonial rule. Nevertheless, corruption remained a significant problem which hampered economic growth and development efforts. In addition, organized crime was still prevalent throughout the country and posed a threat to public safety and security. In response to these issues, the government sought assistance from international organizations such as the United Nations and World Bank in order to help strengthen its institutions and reduce levels of crime and corruption.
Yearbook 2005
Bahrain. On several occasions during the summer, it was reported that the police in the capital Manama had beaten or arrested people demonstrating against the high unemployment rate. According to countryaah, Manama is the capital and one of the major cities within the country of Bahrain. Among those arrested were Abd al-Hadi al-Khawaja, leader of the banned organization Bahrain’s Human Rights Center, and those abused were Nabil Rajab from the same organization.
- Also see abbreviationfinder.org for how the acronym BA stands for the country of Bahrain and other meanings of this two-letter abbreviation.
Women’s rights activists from all states in the Gulf of Persia and Yemen gathered in Manama in January for a conference against women’s trafficking. The activists demanded that the countries in question should criminalize trafficking in women, whether committed by the state or by individuals.
September
Protests against agreement with Israel
September 15
The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain sign agreements with Israel on normalized relations. It takes place during a ceremony at the US Presidential Office, the White House in Washington, which brings together the foreign ministers of the two Arab countries and the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu alongside President Trump. In the Palestinian territories, it is triggering protests and a rocket fire against Israel from the Gaza Strip, which the following morning is followed by Israeli bombing of targets in Gaza.
Bahrain and Israel are normalizing relations
11 September
Bahrain, like the United Arab Emirates, has recently recognized Israel. The countries must establish full diplomatic relations. In Bahrain, where the royal family is Sunni Muslim but the majority of citizens are Shiites, critical citizens air objections to the settlement via social media and join condemnations from, among others, Iran. The Palestinian leaders, within both the PLO and Hamas, are calling on Palestinians to demonstrate, especially in the refugee camps.
Bahrain gives the green light for Israeli flights
September 3
Bahrain announces that flights between Israel and the United Arab Emirates will be allowed to pass through the country’s airspace. Bahrain has welcomed the announcement on August 13 of the normalization of relations between Israel and the Emirates, with mutual recognition. There have also been contacts between Israel and Bahrain, in fact since the 1990s, but the two countries do not have full diplomatic relations.
