UAE condemns Israel’s West Bank settlement move, calls it a ‘dangerous escalation’

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the Israeli Cabinet’s decision to establish and legalise 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank, describing the move as a dangerous escalation that undermines efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its categorical rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at altering the legal and historical status of the occupied Palestinian territory. The Ministry stressed that any attempt to annex the West Bank is categorically rejected, warning that such actions erode the foundations of the two-state solution.

The Ministry underlined the importance of supporting regional and international efforts to revive the peace process and to end illegal practices. It reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to promoting peace and justice and to safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people, while calling on the international community to uphold its legal and political responsibilities and take necessary measures to ensure security and stability across the region.

Separately, the UAE also strongly condemned a drone attack that targeted a logistics base of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in the city of Kadugli, Sudan. The attack resulted in multiple deaths and injuries among members of the Bangladeshi contingent serving with the UN peacekeeping mission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its permanent rejection of all forms of violence aimed at undermining security and stability, emphasising that attacks targeting peacekeeping forces violate international law and contravene UN Security Council Resolution 2802.

The UAE expressed full solidarity with UN peacekeeping forces and the troop-contributing countries, reaffirming its support for international efforts to maintain peace, stability and security, as well as to provide humanitarian assistance in conflict zones. The Ministry also conveyed its sincere condolences to the families of the victims, to the interim government and people of Bangladesh, and to the United Nations, while wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
(With AFP inputs)