Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, on Saturday voiced the UAE’s concern over the US president’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and its potential negative effects on stability in the region.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (right), and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet members of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy at Al Shati Palace. Hamad Al Kaabi / Crown Prince Court
The move sparked multiple protests over the weekend by Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem to be the capital of a future independent state. On Friday, thousands of Palestinians took to the streets and two were killed in clashes with Israeli troops on the Gaza border.
Most countries consider East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed after capturing it in a 1967 war, to be occupied territory, and say the status of the city should be left to be decided at future Israeli-Palestinian talks.
The Crown Prince also presented an overview of UAE foreign policy to the 50-member delegation, with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in attendance.
The situation in Yemen, and possible solutions to the crisis, was also discussed. The Crown Prince highlighted the humanitarian and developmental assistance the UAE and Saudi Arabia have provided to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.
