Eight Islamic, Arab nations condemn Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Islamabad, July 23:Eight Islamic and Arab countries, including Pakistan, have jointly condemned Israel’s recent actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al-Haram Al-Sharif), describing them as dangerous provocations that threaten regional peace and violate international law.
In a joint statement, the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern over the continued mass incursions by Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection and leadership of extremist Israeli ministers. They also denounced the raising of the Israeli flag within the mosque’s courtyards and other actions they described as inflammatory and unacceptable.
The ministers stated that these measures constitute a blatant violation of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the long-established historical and legal status quo governing the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. They strongly condemned incitement, calls encouraging further incursions, and acts of violence by extremist Israeli ministers and settler groups, warning that such actions fuel religious tensions, promote extremism, and undermine prospects for achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace.
Reaffirming their support for the two-State solution, the ministers stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. They categorically rejected any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of the city’s sacred places and reiterated the importance of preserving the special role of the Hashemite custodianship over these sites.
The eight countries urged Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, ensure unrestricted entry for Muslim worshippers to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and cease all actions that violate the sanctity of Islamic and Christian holy sites. They also called on the international community to take a firm and united stance to compel Israel to end its ongoing violations and uphold international law and the established status of Jerusalem’s sacred sites.
