UAE Strongly Condemns Breach of Al-Aqsa Mosque Courtyards, Warns Against Escalation

Abu Dhabi, September 29 (KUNA) -- The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned on Tuesday the incursion by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and a group of settlers into the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, under the protection of Israeli police, describing the act as a provocative escalation and a rejected extremist act. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that the UAE has called on the Israeli government to assume its responsibilities, denounce these inciting practices, and hold all those involved, particularly ministers and officials, accountable. The ministry emphasized that these repeated assaults, accompanied by incitement to hatred and violence, constitute a systematic extremist campaign that not only targets the Palestinian people but also threatens social stability and leads to heightened tensions. It stressed the necessity of respecting the historical and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, ensuring the protection of all holy sites, and respecting the role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in safeguarding waqf endowments and managing the affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. (End) S.K.M./R.J.