Riyadh/Abu Dhabi/Cairo – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Egypt have collectively denounced the recent storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by hundreds of Jewish settlers, who were accompanied by Israeli forces, in a joint condemnation of the violation.
On Sunday, around 430 extremist settlers forcefully entered the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, marking another breach of one of Islam’s holiest sites.
The UAE, on Tuesday, issued a statement condemning the actions of the settlers and reaffirming its stance on the necessity of providing increased protection for Al-Aqsa Mosque. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of respecting Jordan’s custodial role over the holy sites and endowments in compliance with international law. It stressed that no one should be allowed to undermine the authority of the Jerusalem Endowment Administration and Al-Aqsa Mosque. The ministry further called on Israeli authorities to take responsibility for ending all attacks that could escalate tensions.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry, on Monday, described the Israeli actions as a blatant violation of international norms and conventions, and a provocation to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide. The ministry held Tel Aviv accountable for the repercussions of such actions and urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting civilians and finding ways to resolve the conflict.
Echoing the sentiment, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry called on Israel to immediately cease any actions that could provoke the sentiments of millions of Muslims globally and fuel violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.
In a joint effort to reinvigorate the Palestine-Israel peace process, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Arab League, Egypt, and Jordan announced the Peace Day Efforts initiative on Monday. The announcement was made during a meeting held in New York on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly. The meeting was attended by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi, and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Prince Faisal emphasized the need for the two-state solution to be brought to the forefront, expressing concern over the ongoing escalation in the occupied territories.
The Peace Day Efforts initiative aligns with the Arab Peace Initiative, a comprehensive proposal aimed at achieving peace and development in the region.
The joint condemnation by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt underscores their united stance against the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and their commitment to safeguarding the rights and sanctity of religious sites. The Peace Day Efforts initiative reflects their ongoing efforts to promote a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and create an environment conducive to stability and prosperity in the region.
