Palestine and Jordan on Tuesday requested an emergency meeting at the UN Security Council to discuss Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem.
In a letter shared with The National, Palestine's ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour urged the world body to “unequivocally condemn these illegal and dangerous actions and demand that Israel, the occupying power, cease its violations and assaults on this holy site and fully comply with its obligations under international law”.
“The Security Council cannot remain a bystander in the face of this perilous situation and must make its voice heard and assert its authority,” Mr Mansour wrote in the letter delivered to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Security Council members.
Only urgent, serious action can avert the potential of a “violent explosion and religious war”, he added.
The issue is likely to come up when the Security Council convenes on Thursday to discuss Middle East affairs.
The UN's Arab Group, led by Palestine for the month of January, is expected to convene on Thursday in New York to discuss the next steps in response to Mr Ben-Gvir's visit.
Al Aqsa Mosque is the third-holiest place in Islam and has been a frequent flashpoint in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Under a long-standing status quo, non-Muslims can visit the site at specific times but are not allowed to pray there.
Mr Mansour told The National that he hopes Security Council members will act “in the way they see fit”.
Israeli police confront Palestinian protesters at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque in May — in pictures
Mr Guterres has called on all to refrain from actions “that could escalate tensions in and around the holy sites”, said his deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq.
He also encouraged “the parties to continue on the path towards resuming talks towards a two-state solution and to avoid any rhetoric that would make that task more difficult”.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price on Tuesday said that Washington officials had spoken to their Israeli counterparts in the hours following Mr Ben-Gvir's visit.
“This visit has the potential to exacerbate tensions and to provoke violence,” Mr Price told reporters on Tuesday, reiterating that Washington “stands firmly for preservation of the historic status quo” of Jerusalem's holy sites — a sentiment echoed by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who stated that a change to the status quo of Jerusalem's holy sites would be “unacceptable”.
But Mr Price dodged questions about what specific actions, if any, Washington would take in response to the visit.
The UAE was among several Gulf countries to condemn the visit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation called on Israel to “assume responsibility for reducing escalation and instability in the region”.
The ministry “reiterated its firm position on the need to provide full protection for Al Aqsa Mosque and halt serious and provocative violations taking place there”.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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