UAE Says Mideast Peace Impossible Until Israel Stops Occupation Of Arab Territories

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday joined other countries in condemning the US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, stating that a peace in the Middle East was impossible as long as Israel continued occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories

DOHA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th March, 2019) The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday joined other countries in condemning the US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, stating that a peace in the middle East was impossible as long as Israel continued occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order formally recognizing the Golan, annexed from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War, as Israel territory. It came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on the visit to the United States just days before the Israeli parliamentary elections. The US move has already been condemned by the Arab League, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as Russia, China, Turkey, Iran and US Western allies.

"The United Arab Emirates has expressed deep regret and condemnation over the US administration's decision to recognize Israel's sovereignty over Syria's occupied Golan Heights.

This step undermines chances of achieving a comprehensive and just peace in the region, where stability and peace cannot be achieved as long as Israel continues to occupy Palestinian and Arab territories," the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement, as quoted by the WAM news agency.

The ministry referred to UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497, which call for a full Israeli withdrawal from occupied Arab territories.

The UAE also reaffirmed that its recognition of the Golan as Syrian territory remained unchanged, regardless of the US administration's decision.