UAE condemns Israeli Finance Minister's statements on expanding West Bank sovereignty

The United Arab Emirates has issued a strong condemnation of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's recent remarks advocating the potential expansion of Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied West Bank, according to the Emirati official news agency, WAM.

In the statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the UAE expressed categorical opposition to what it described as "provocative statements and actions" aimed at altering the legal status of Palestinian territories. The UAE warned that such actions could escalate instability and jeopardize peace efforts in the region.

Moreover, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its rejection of any unilateral measures that contravene international resolutions, warning that such actions hinder the peace process and threaten to inflame regional tensions.

The ministry reiterated the UAE's unwavering commitment to supporting both regional and international initiatives that advance peace in the Middle East and emphasized the importance of respecting the legal frameworks governing the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Stressing its commitment to peace, justice, and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, the UAE called for an immediate halt to practices that undermine the two-state solution and urged the international community to intensify efforts towards a ceasefire to prevent further violence and loss of life in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The UAE also renewed its call for a comprehensive and just peace, underscoring that only a stable, independent Palestinian state would fulfill the long-standing aspirations for security and stability in the region.