UAE 'gravely concerned' over violence in East Jerusalem

Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges Israeli authorities to end all attacks

Palestinian children remove metallic barriers as protesters gather at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Palestinian protesters remove metallic barriers as demonstrators gather at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Israeli Arab politician Ahmad Tibi speaks to members of the Israeli security forces as Palestinian protesters gather at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Palestinians wave flags and celebrate outside Damascus Gate after barriers that were put up by Israeli police are removed, allowing them to access the main square that has been the focus of a week of clashes around Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters

Palestinian protesters shout slogans at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Palestinian protesters shout slogans at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Palestinian protesters shout slogans at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Israeli policemen detain a Palestinian protester near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

Israeli security forces push out Palestinian protesters outside the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. AFP

A Palestinian youth wearing a mask looks on during clashes with Israeli security forces in the city center of the occupied West Bank town of Hebron, following a protest in support of Palestinian demonstration in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem. AFP

Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops at in the city center of the West Bank city of Hebron, 25 April 2021. Clashes erupted in Hebron during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Jerusalem. EPA

Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli troops at in the city center of the West Bank city of Hebron. Clashes erupted in Hebron during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Jerusalem after Israeli police restricted access and gathering in areas around Damascus Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, which led to nightly clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police. EPA

The UAE expressed "grave concern" over the violence in East Jerusalem after far-right groups attacked Arabs and clashes injured more than 100 Palestinians.

There have been nightly disturbances since the start of Ramadan, amid Palestinian anger over police blocking access to the promenade around the walls of the Old City and a ban on gatherings.

On Thursday, far-right Israeli demonstrators marched through central Jerusalem towards the Damascus Gate where there were crowds of Palestinians. Police had barricaded the area as a precaution.

As they marched, many Israelis chanted "Death to Arabs" and some waved banners reading: "Death to terrorists".

With police trying to keep both sides apart, at least 100 Palestinians were injured.

East Jerusalem protests intensified after a march on Thursday by far-right Israelis.

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said it permanently rejected and condemned "all forms of violence and hatred that are inconsistent with humanitarian values and principles", state news agency Wam reported.

The ministry also called on the Israeli authorities "to assume responsibility for reducing the escalation and putting an end to all attacks and practices that lead to a continuing state of tensions".

It stressed the need "to preserve the historical identity of occupied Jerusalem, to restore calm and to exercise maximum restraint to avoid the region drifting to new levels of instability and threatening peace".

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