UAE reaffirms constant support to Palestinians amid Jerusalem crisis

DUBAI, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed on Monday its support for the "Arab identity of Jerusalem" and the city's legal status established by international conventions as well as the rights of the Palestinian people.

The status of Jerusalem remains in the "essence of the the peace process," which is the main driver of stability in the region, said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister.

Any breach of the status might open new doors to extremists, he added.

"Jerusalem, with its Arab identity and its historical and religious identity, is a holy land to people of different faiths," the UAE leader stressed.

He reiterated his country's position of promoting lasting peace and stability in the region while guaranteeing the Arab and Palestinian rights.

The UAE does not recognize the state of Israel, however, Israel has a presence at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, as it is one of the 180 member states of IRENA whose headquarters are based in Abu Dhabi.

Trump announced Wednesday his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the start of moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that triggered widespread criticism and concerns around the world.

Trump said in a televised speech that his decision is based on the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, a public law of the United States passed by the 104th Congress on Oct. 23, 1995. Enditem