Dubai's Burj Khalifa and Abu Dhabi's Adnoc building light up in solidarity with Palestinian independence

Palestinian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by Yasser Arafat in 1988 and recognised by more than 100 countries

Burj Khalifa and the Adnoc building lit up in the colours of the Palestinian flag to mark the anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence. Photos: X

In a gesture of solidarity, Dubai's Burj Khalifa and the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) lit up in the colours of the Palestinian flag to mark the anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.

The display on the Adnoc building on Friday, shared on social media by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, reflects the UAE’s recognition of the significant moment in Palestinian history. “The Adnoc building lights up in the colours of the Palestinian flag in celebration of the declaration of the State of the Palestine,” the media office posted on X, with a picture of the illuminated building.

The 828-metre high Burj Khalifa also lit up in Palestinian flag colours.

The declaration of independence, proclaimed by Yasser Arafat in 1988 during a meeting of the Palestinian National Council in Algiers, remains a defining moment for Palestinian aspirations for statehood. It declared Palestine as an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and received recognition from more than 100 countries at the time.

The UAE has consistently expressed its support for the Palestinian cause through diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, advocating for a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The symbolic gesture by Adnoc comes amid Israel's war in Gaza that has claimed more than 43,800 lives, and concern about the future of the Palestinian territories.