The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir storm with hundreds to over a thousand Israeli settlers. Ben-Gvir led a sizable throng into the mosque enclosure on August 3, 2025. It was during the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av, while being closely watched by Israeli authorities. The group conducted rituals inside the mosque grounds, which is against the site’s long-standing legal and historical status quo. The act is viewed as provocative and radical by Muslim authorities and neighbouring nations.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the grave consequences such violations pose amid already elevated regional tensions. They consider the storming a provocative escalation and an abhorrent act of extremism against Muslims. In accordance with international law and previous agreements, the ministry underlined the significance of completely defending Al-Aqsa Mosque. It emphasised how important it is to maintain the Jerusalem Endowment Administration’s authority, which oversees the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the courtyards around it.
In its statement, the UAE called on Israeli authorities to cease all escalation and avoid actions that further destabilize the region. It urged the international community to step up efforts to achieve a comprehensive political solution based on the two-state framework. To respects the Palestinian people’s aspirations for an independent and sovereign state and vehemently condemned actions that violate international legitimacy resolutions.
Condemnation from OIC and Arab Parliament:
This condemnation aligns with similar denunciations from regional bodies including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab Parliament. They labeled the Israeli actions as violations of the historic and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa and provocations that threaten both regional and global peace and security. In particular, the Arab Parliament called for international protection of Palestinians and their sacred sites. They also condemned the actions as a violation that aims to turn the war into a religious one. They held the Israeli government entirely accountable.
Overall, the UAE’s response calls for respect for religious sanctities and a renewed international commitment to a peaceful two-state solution, highlighting its strong opposition to Israeli ministers and settlers’ storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque as an extremist and provocative act that compromises regional stability and peace.
