Eight Muslim nations have jointly condemned recent Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing them as a serious violation of international law and the long-standing historical and legal status of the holy site. The statement was issued on Friday by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The ministers expressed concern over what they described as an escalation at Al-Aqsa Mosque. They criticized repeated incursions by Israeli settlers into the mosque compound, saying these visits were led by extremist Israeli ministers and took place under the protection of Israeli security forces.
The joint statement also condemned the raising of the Israeli flag inside the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque. It further criticized the installation of two tents by Israeli police and other actions that the ministers described as provocative and inflammatory.
According to the statement, these developments violate international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo governing the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. The ministers said such actions increase tensions and threaten regional stability.
The foreign ministers also denounced what they described as extremist calls encouraging further incursions into the mosque compound. They warned that such actions could fuel hatred, encourage extremism, and weaken efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution.
The statement also raised concerns about restrictions on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its religious sites. The ministers said limits placed on worshippers, along with what they called discriminatory entry measures, violate international humanitarian law and represent attempts to change the historical character of the area.
The eight countries reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. They also condemned what they described as continued measures aimed at changing the historical, legal, and demographic identity of occupied East Jerusalem.
The ministers reaffirmed their rejection of any attempts to alter the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy places. They also recognized the special role of the Hashemite custodianship in preserving these religious sites.
In their statement, the ministers stressed that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, is an Islamic place of worship. They said the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, operating under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, remains the only legal authority responsible for managing the mosque and regulating access.
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The joint statement called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately remove restrictions on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and allow Muslim worshippers to enter the mosque freely. The ministers also urged the international community to take a firm stance and press Israel to end actions they said violate the sanctity of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
