Oman condemns attack on Al Aqsa Mosque
Sultanate asserts support to establish independent Palestinian state
Muscat: Oman’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the attack of Israeli forces in the courtyards of the Al Aqsa Mosque.
The statement by Oman’s FM said that Oman rejects the policies and procedures that result in the displacement of Palestinian people from their homes in the city of Jerusalem.
Oman asserted its firm position in support of the legitimate rights to establish an independent Palestinian state by 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Oman in 2018 to discuss peace initiatives in the Middle East with the late Sultan Qaboos. It was first such visit to by an Israeli leader in more than twenty years.
Three-day visit
Days prior to Benjamin’s visit in 2018, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had also paid a three-day visit to Oman and met Sultan Qaboos.
“Among the issues discussed were ways to advance the peace process in the Middle East as well as several matters of joint interest regarding the achievement of peace and stability in the Middle East,” said a joint statement issued then by Netanyahu’s office. Netanyahu has on several occasions hinted at warmer ties with Gulf States.
Prior to 2018, it was in 1996 that the late Shimon Peres came to Oman as well as to Qatar, when he was the PM of Israel. During his visit, Peres opened Israel trade representative offices in both Gulf countries. His predecessor, the late Yitzhak Rabin, made the first trip to Oman in 1994.