UAE condemns Israeli minister’s call for West Bank annexation

The United Arab Emirates has issued a sharp condemnation of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s recent statements advocating for Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank by next year.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) denounced Smotrich’s remarks as a clear threat to regional stability, calling them “provocative” and an attempt to alter the legal status of Palestinian territories.

In an official statement, MoFA expressed its “categorical rejection of all provocative statements and measures aimed at altering the legal status of the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” warning that such actions could lead to heightened escalation and instability in the region. The Ministry emphasized that these practices undermine international resolutions and the viability of a two-state solution.

The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peace initiatives in the Middle East and to preserving the rights of the Palestinian people. “The UAE is steadfast in its commitment to reinforcing peace and justice, and safeguarding the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people,” the Ministry stated.

Calling on the global community to act, the Ministry urged international efforts to establish a ceasefire and prevent further loss of life, while advancing efforts for a comprehensive peace solution.