UAE calls for immediate cessation of violence, hostilities in Jerusalem

Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, took part in the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers, which was held on Sunday upon the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discuss the recent violence in occupied East Jerusalem and the Holy Al Aqsa Mosque and its impact on the brotherly Palestinian people.

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During the meeting, which was held via video conference, Al Hashimy delivered the UAE’s speech in which she strongly condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the displacement of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, which led to growing numbers of victims and injured civilians, including women and children.

Relatives mourn over the bodies in Al-Shifa Hospital, after an Israeli air strike struck their house. AFP

She stressed the need for the Israeli authorities to assume their responsibilities — in accordance with international law — to protect Palestinian civilians’ right to practice their religion and to preserve the historical and legal identity of occupied East Jerusalem.

"We join others in calling for an immediate cessation of violence and hostilities, to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate steps to commit to a ceasefire. The events of the past days have been a sombre reminder of the urgent need to start the peace process according to the Arab initiative to bring about stability and peace," she added.

The UAE also emphasised the need to respect the role of the brotherly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in protecting holy places under international law and to put an end to all aggression and practices that lead to continued tension and stalemate.

Al Hashimy reiterated the UAE's support for all regional and international efforts to push the Middle East peace process forward and all international efforts against illegal practices that hinder the two-state solution and the establishment of the independent Palestinian state, based on 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

WAM