DOHA, July 23 (QNA): The Foreign Ministers of Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have strongly condemned Israel’s escalating actions at Al Aqsa Mosque (Al Haram Al Sharif), describing them as serious violations of international law and the historical and legal status quo in occupied East Jerusalem.
In a joint statement, the ministers denounced continued mass incursions by Israeli settlers led by extremist ministers under the protection of Israeli forces. They also condemned the raising of the Israeli flag within the mosque compound, the establishment of two Israeli police tents and other actions they said were provocative and unacceptable.
The ministers stressed that these measures violate international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and the established historical and legal status of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in occupied Jerusalem. They further condemned incitement, violence, mobilization campaigns and repeated incursions by Israeli extremist ministers and groups.
Warning that such actions fuel hatred and extremism, the ministers said they undermine efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the internationally supported two State solution.
The statement also criticized restrictions imposed on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its places of worship, saying they constitute violations of international humanitarian law and represent unlawful attempts to change the city’s historical, legal and demographic character. The ministers emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
They reaffirmed their rejection of any attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem while recognizing the special role of the Hashemite custodianship in safeguarding the holy sites.
The ministers reiterated that the entire 144 dunam area of Al Aqsa Mosque is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims and affirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the sole legal authority responsible for administering the mosque and regulating access.
They called on Israel to immediately remove restrictions on entry to Jerusalem’s Old City, ensure free access for Muslim worshippers, and urged the international community to take firm action to halt ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.