Bahrain confirms Jewish woman as new envoy to US

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

MANAMA (AFP) — Bahrain, a close US ally, announced on Thursday that it has appointed a Jewish woman as its ambassador in Washington, a first for an Arab country.

King Hamad issued a decree naming Huda Nunu as head of the Gulf state's diplomatic mission in the United States, the official BNA news agency reported.

Her appointment had been anticipated since May, and Bahraini officials have denied it is a public relations stunt.

There are just 37 Jews in the tiny Gulf kingdom of around 530,000 Bahrainis.

"This move is not propaganda," an official told AFP in May. "It reflects a climate of tolerance towards minorities in Bahrain," which is ruled by a Sunni dynasty and has a disgruntled Shiite majority.

Nunu was appointed to the Shura...