UAE condemns Israeli minister's call for sovereignty over West Bank

ABU DHABI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday strongly condemned recent remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who reportedly called for the imposition of Israeli sovereignty over the occupied West Bank in the coming year.

In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its unequivocal rejection of "all provocative statements and measures" intended to alter the legal status of the occupied Palestinian territory.

The ministry underscored that such actions contravene international resolutions and risk escalating tensions, destabilizing the region, and obstructing efforts toward peace.

The ministry stressed the importance of supporting both regional and international initiatives to advance the peace process in the Middle East, reiterating that illegal practices undermining the two-state solution must be halted to enable the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

In addition, the ministry called on the international community to work swiftly towards an immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and to avoid worsening the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive and just peace in the region.