UAE condemns 'systematic extremist campaign' in Jerusalem as it summons Israeli ambassador

The UAE has published further details about its summoning of the Israeli ambassador.

The Emirati foreign affairs ministry said in a statement it told the Israeli ambassador that it condemned in the strongest terms the "deplorable and offensive violations against the Palestinian people that took place in the courtyard of Al-Aqsa Mosque and in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City".

Earlier this week, far-right Israelis assaulted Palestinians and recited inflammatory chants in Jerusalem during the provocative annual "Flag March". 

The UAE said such scenes in Jerusalem were "provocative, arbitrary practices [that] represent dangerous incitement against Muslims, and are a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the holy city". 

It added that the continued attacks by Israeli extremists and incitement to hatred and violence constituted "a systematic extremist campaign that not only targets the Palestinian people but the entire international community, further escalating tensions at a time when efforts should be focused on ending the ongoing tragedy in the Gaza Strip". 

"The UAE calls on the Israeli government to assume full responsibility, condemn these hostile acts, hold perpetrators accountable without exception to ministers and officials, and take urgent steps to prevent the exploitation of Jerusalem for agendas of violence, extremism and incitement," the foreign ministry said. 

It called on Israel to respect the custodial role of Jordan over the holy sites in Jerusalem in accordance with international law.