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The BDS Movement Calls to Boycott Arab Institutes Only When it is Convenient

On January 31, 2021 Alghad TV channel broadcasted an interview with the Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz. This is not the first time that Alghad is conducting interviews with high-ranking Israeli officials. In February 2020 Alghad broadcasted an interview with Israel’s former Prime Minister Ehud Olemert.
Following the interview with Benny Gantz, the BDS Movement issued a statement calling all Palestinians to boycott the channel, stating both interviews are a practice of normalization: “this is not the first time that this dangerous normalization is taking place on this channel – which is financed by the UAE. Alghad also hosted Ehud Olmert, the war criminal, what reflects on the ongoing involvement of the channel and its managers in conveying normalization agenda”.

Since its inception, the BDS Movement has been standing in the forefront of the battle against normalization with the State of Israel, policing engagements between Arabs and Israelis. Recently, and particularly following the peace agreement between Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco – the BDS Movement anti-normalization campaign has escalated. Few examples include calls to boycott Arab companies, and hardening their stances.

However, the BDS Movement have failed to police its own members and supporters from violating normalization guidelines. Between the period of February 2020 (Olmert’s interview) and January 2021 (Gantz interview) – Salah Al-Khawja, a prominent BDS activist in the West Bank and coordinator of Stop the Wall (a founding member of the BDS Movement) gladly interviewed for the channel. Khaled Mansour, another Ramallah-based prominent BDS activist and Stop the Wall coordinator also spoke freely to the channel.
Important to note that Al-Khawaja and Mansour are not “simply” local activist that promotes BDS on their spare time. They are both a crucial part and partners of the BDS Movement.
Appendix: Photos of Al-Khawaja and Mansour on Alghad TV and their Connection to the BDS Movement
BDS activist Khalid Mansour speaking to Alghad, June 2020
Al-Khawaja and Mansour in a BDS Movement protest, May 2019
BDS Activist Salah Al-Khawaja speaking to Alghad, November 2020
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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