Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation
Al Hashemy informed Hayek of the UAE strong protest and denunciation of the events taking place in Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque, including attacks on civilians and incursions into holy places that resulted in the injury of a number of civilians.
Al Hashemy stressed the need to immediately stop these events, provide full protection for worshipers, respect the right of Palestinians to practice their religious rites, and halt any practices that violate the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque. Moreover, she expressed concern over the escalation of tension that threatens stability and security in the region.
Furthermore, she underscored “the need to respect the custodial role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over the holy sites and endowments in accordance with international law and the historical situation at hand, and not to compromise the authority of the Jerusalem Endowment Administration and Al Aqsa Mosque.”
More than 170 Palestinians were injured in clashes with the Israeli police in the last several days, according to the Associated Press.
At least 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and 14 people inside Israel by Palestinian attackers in the last two weeks, also according to an AP count.
Al Hashemy stressed the need to foster an appropriate environment that would allow a return to serious negotiations aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with legitimate international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Tensions have run high in recent days, during the confluence of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover.
Palestinian protesters and Israeli police have clashed at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site, known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
Five European countries called Tuesday for an end to clashes in Jerusalem following a weekend of violence surrounding the holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in a joint statement issued after an emergency closed-door UN Security Council session.
"Violence needs to stop immediately. Further civilian casualties must be prevented as a priority," the statement by Ireland, France, Estonia, Norway, and Albania said. "The status quo of the holy sites must be fully respected."
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