Pakistan, 7 Muslim nations decry Israel's 'unacceptable' violations against Islamic, Christian sites in Jerusalem

Denounce repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, terming them a 'flagrant violation' of international law

Foreign ministers of Pakistan and seven other Muslim countries on Thursday condemned Israel’s “unacceptable” violations against Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem, describing them as repeated breaches of the historic and legal status quo at the holy sites by Israeli occupation authorities.

The condemnation came amid continued reports of incursions, as a day earlier, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under heavy police protection.

According to a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, they reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, stressing its preservation while recognising the special role of the historic Hashemite custodianship.

Read: Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque amid rising tensions

The ministers particularly condemned continued incursions by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers into Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards.

“These provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque ... constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and represent an unacceptable provocation to Muslims around the world, and a flagrant violation of the sanctity of the holy city,” the ministers reiterated.

“The entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Sharif, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims,” they said, adding that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, was the legal entity with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the mosque and to regulate entry thereto.

The ministers also condemned accelerating illegal settlement activity, including Israel’s approval of more than 30 new settlements, calling it a flagrant violation of international law, United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

“Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory,” the ministers emphasised, categorically rejecting any attempts to annex the territory or displace the Palestinian people.

They further condemned continued settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including recent attacks on schools and children, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

Also Read: FO slams storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque, raising of Israeli flag

“Such actions constitute a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian state and on the implementation of the two-state solution, increase tensions, undermine peace efforts, and hinder ongoing initiatives aimed at de-escalation and the restoration of stability,” they stressed.

The ministers called on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and to compel Israel to halt what they described as a dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank and its illegal practices.

They also urged the international community to take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations and intensify efforts for a political solution based on the two-state framework.

Reiterating their position, the ministers expressed their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and to establish an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967, lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The incursion came as Israeli police continued to tighten restrictions across East Jerusalem by setting up checkpoints, closing roads and limiting access for worshippers to the mosque.

Since early April, the pace of such incursions has increased, with Israeli settlers performing public rituals inside the compound.

Last week, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the compound and performed Talmudic rituals alongside settlers, marking his third such incursion this year and the 16th since taking office in late 2022.

Also Read: Zionist occupiers raise Israel’s flag as they storm Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews refer to the area as Temple Mount, believing it to be the site of two ancient Jewish temples.

Since 2003, Israeli police have allowed settlers to enter the mosque compound daily during two periods — morning and afternoon — except on Fridays and Saturdays.

Palestinians say Israel is intensifying efforts to alter the status of East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and erase its Arab and Islamic identity.

Palestinians regard East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, based on international resolutions that do not recognise Israel’s occupation of the city in 1967 or its annexation in 1980.