UAE condemns Israeli plan to seize control of Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move to transfer control from Palestinian authorities to the Jewish Religious Council in the Kiryat Arba settlement represented a 'grave violation' of the mosque's historic and legal status.
The ministry emphasised the importance of respecting the status quo of holy sites and called for an immediate halt to all 'unilateral and provocative actions that risk destabilising the occupied Palestinian territories and undermining international efforts towards de-escalation'.
Israeli media reported this week that the directive would be undertaken by the Israeli Civil Administration, which operates under the Ministry of Defence and governs the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The Ibrahimi Mosque is currently under the authority and administration of the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Hebron Municipality.
The mosque is one of the most revered sites in both Judaism and Islam. It was designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2017, while also being placed on a list of sites considered in danger by the UN cultural body.
The Permanent Delegation of the State of Palestine to Unesco on Wednesday described the Israeli plan as 'dangerous and illegal'.
The UAE has called on the international community to uphold its responsibilities in safeguarding holy sites and preserving their religious and historical status.
The ministry underlined the need to support all regional and international efforts to advance the peace process in the Middle East and end illegal practices that undermine the two-state solution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Watch: Sheikh Mohammed visits Mall of the Emirates, spotted in Dubai supermarket
Hitting the mall this weekend? You might just spot the Ruler of Dubai, just like these residents. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has been visiting different parts of the emirate all week, surprising residents who catch a glimpse of him. Earlier, he was seen taking photographs with children and having warm conversations with residents while stepping out of a cafe in Dubai Mall. Not just that, the Ruler was also seen walking down the streets of the souk in Deira, despite the sweltering heat. This time, however, residents saw the leader walking past them in the aisles of Mall of the Emirates. On seeing him, one woman even shouted, "We love you!", a clear sign of how cherished he is by those who live here. Dressed sharply as always, the Ruler of Dubai walked with staff, a cane in hand. As with his other appearances this week, he was without armed guards, moving casually which is a striking contrast to many global leaders. Watch the video of him in the mall, below: Later, during the same mall visit, he was seen walking inside a supermarket, which appears to be a Carrefour. People could be seen stepping aside and taking photographs as they saw him pass by. Watch the video of him in the supermarket below: Earlier this week, he also travelled by the Dubai Tram, taking commuters by surprise. Many even pulled out their phones to capture the memorable moment. From malls and souks to trams and supermarkets, Sheikh Mohammed's presence this week has been a reminder of his deep connection with the people of Dubai. His spontaneous outings continue to inspire admiration, not just for his leadership, but for the humility and humanity he brings to it.
Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- Emirates 24/7
Abdullah bin Zayed welcomes France's announcement on intention to recognise State of Palestine, reaffirms commitment to supporting legitimate rights of Palestinian People
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the announcement by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, regarding France's intention to recognise the State of Palestine. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed believes this step reinforces efforts by the international community to advance the two-state solution and establish a just and lasting peace in the region. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed expressed the UAE's appreciation for this significant decision, which comes at a critical juncture and underscores the need for the international community to uphold its responsibilities and work collectively to revive the political process and bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Such efforts would contribute to enhancing regional security and stability, while supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent, sovereign state in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and international law. H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan also reaffirmed the UAE's unwavering commitment to the aspirations and rights of the Palestinian people, and to continued cooperation with regional and international partners to achieve a just and sustainable solution that ends the conflict and lays the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous future for the peoples of the region. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Israel's Knesset vote on the West Bank is an alarming development
To gauge how noxious Israeli politics has become, one need only consider what the past month has been like for Ayman Odeh, the Arab leader of a coalition of leftist parties. The Knesset, Israel's legislature, moved to impeach Mr Odeh for a tweet earlier in the year in which he said he was 'happy for the release of [Israeli] hostages and [Palestinian] prisoners' – the inclusion of both groups in the same sentence apparently too much for his detractors. Parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly – 73 to 14 – for Mr Odeh's expulsion, but a boycott of the session by Ultra-Orthodox parties over an unrelated issue prevented the 90-vote threshold required from being met. Then, last weekend, Mr Odeh was attacked on his way to an anti-war protest in central Israel. His assailants cracked the windshield of his car while he was inside, and chanted 'Death to Arabs'. Police, Mr Odeh says, stood by and did nothing. The silence from his fellow parliamentarians has been deafening. Yet it is little surprise, considering the anti-Arab mood in the Knesset appears to be at a fever pitch. On Wednesday, the legislature voted in favour of a non-binding motion to annex the West Bank, a Palestinian territory whose long-standing occupation by Israeli security forces is illegal under international law. The West Bank is a critical part of historic Palestine and any future Palestinian the vote was overwhelming, with 71 for to 13 against. The Knesset resolution called on the government 'to apply Israeli sovereignty, law, judgement and administration' over large areas where illegal Jewish settlements are present, and noted the entire territory is 'an inseparable part of the land of Israel', to which Israel has a 'natural, historical and legal right'. The anti-Arab mood appears to be at a fever pitch Ten Arab and Islamic countries, along with the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation, released a statement on Thursday roundly condemning the Knesset resolution. The statement, of which the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were signatories, called the resolution 'a flagrant and unacceptable violation of international law', adding it will 'only fuel the growing tension in the region, exacerbated by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe'. The resolution has been viewed by Israeli politicians as a largely symbolic measure, as it does not carry the force of law. But it is deeply problematic, both as an antagonistic barb against the dignity and rights of Palestinians and as a barometer of public sentiment. While it is true that the statements and votes of Members of the Knesset belie more nuanced public opinion, the picture is still disturbing. A poll conducted by The Jerusalem Post in February found that 35 per cent of Israelis favour a 'Jewish-only state, from the river to the sea'. This would, in effect, include the prospect of annexation of the West Bank and the end of hopes for a Palestinian state. The pro-annexation movement is about much more than territorial claims. It inherently denies Palestinians the right to exist as a national community – it is no coincidence the most prominent supporters of annexing the West Bank apply their logic to Gaza, too. The fact that it has become an ideological staple in the Knesset makes its success as eventual national policy much likelier, and that ought to alarm everyone in the region, as well as Israel's allies in the West. A generalised acceptance of lawlessness and oppression among most of a country's politicians can have concrete consequences. Even if the annexation resolution is symbolic, the violent assault against Mr Odeh was very real.
