Eight Muslim countries, including the United Arab Emirates, released a joint statement condemning Israel following an incident at the al-Aqsa mosque. On Sunday, approximately 200 Israeli activists entered the mosque, raised the Israeli flag, and performed prayers, which the statement described as a violation of the existing arrangements that restrict worship at the site to Muslims.
The foreign ministers of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey condemned these actions, stating that they were provocative and constituted a violation of international law and the historical status quo of Jerusalem's holy sites. The statement also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people and their rights, including the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The UAE's participation in the condemnation is notable given its recent closer ties with Israel, particularly following a secret meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The statement highlights the complexities of UAE's diplomatic relationships and the potential impact of Israeli actions on these alliances.