The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a formal statement criticizing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount, a site holy to both Jews and Muslims. The UAE government characterized the visit as part of a "systematic extremist campaign" that it claims threatens social stability and increases the risk of regional escalation. This diplomatic rebuke comes shortly after the UAE hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the tension between the UAE’s growing diplomatic ties with Israel and its stance on the status of contested religious sites in Jerusalem.

In addition to the UAE’s statement, Iran has reportedly issued warnings to Emirati officials regarding the potential regional consequences of their deepening relationship with the current Israeli government. While the UAE focuses on the potential for civil unrest, the Iranian response frames the diplomatic engagement between Israel and the UAE as a source of "highly dangerous consequences" for the region. The situation underscores the delicate balance the UAE must maintain as it navigates the Abraham Accords while responding to actions by Israeli officials that are viewed as provocative by the broader Arab world.