In the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas militants in Gaza, a physician of Indian origin found himself dismissed from the prestigious Royal Hospital Bahrain due to his controversial ‘Anti-Palestine’ remarks posted on social media platforms.
The hospital administration chose to make this announcement via a prominent microblogging platform, underscoring their decision to terminate the employment of Dr. Sunil Rao, who was accused of expressing pro-Israel sentiments. Israel had been relentlessly launching attacks on Gaza in response to the Hamas assault that unfolded over the weekend of 7th October.
The triggering point was a tweet flagged by a vigilant microblogging user, who promptly brought it to the attention of Bahraini authorities. Subsequently, the Royal Hospital Bahrain issued a statement outlining their actions: “It has come to our attention that Dr. Sunil Rao, a Specialist in Internal Medicine, has posted tweets on social media that are offensive to our society. We would like to clarify that his tweets and personal beliefs do not align with the values and principles of the hospital. This represents a breach of our code of conduct, and we have taken immediate legal action, resulting in the termination of his service.”
Dr. Rao, in an attempt to mitigate the damage, publicly apologized on social media, acknowledging the insensitivity of his statement and asserting his respect for the country, its people, and their beliefs, given his decade-long residence in Bahrain.
Further consequences were evident as the Royal Hospital Bahrain promptly removed his profile from their official website. Dr. Sunil Rao’s professional background, as per his profile on a prominent platform, attests to an illustrious educational journey at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, and Kasturba Medical College in Mangaluru, Karnataka. Dr. Rao also boasts an extensive 20-year experience in the field of medicine.
This incident transpires amidst global apprehensions of a potential escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict that could snowball into a broader regional crisis in the Middle East. While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have so far maintained their diplomatic ties with Israel, the escalating violence may necessitate a reevaluation of these relationships.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the alliance between Saudi Arabia and Israel appears to be strained. Certain Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, have responded to the attacks of 7th October by emphasizing their longstanding concerns regarding Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians. Their primary demand is the facilitation of significant aid to enter Gaza, and Arab nations are now deliberating on a unified response to these developments, according to sources familiar with regional discussions.
As the international community watches these events unfold, the repercussions of this conflict are far-reaching and unpredictable, with potential implications for the entire Middle East region.