Arab States Condemn Al-Aqsa Violations

TDT | Manama

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Foreign ministers from Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt strongly condemned repeated violations of the historical and legal status quo at Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

In a joint statement, the ministers denounced ongoing incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli settlers and extremist figures, carried out under the protection of Israeli police, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its precincts.

They described these actions as a clear breach of international law and international humanitarian law, calling them a provocation to Muslims worldwide and an infringement on the sanctity of Jerusalem’s holy sites.

The ministers reaffirmed their rejection of any attempts to alter the existing status quo in Jerusalem, stressing the importance of preserving it. They also highlighted the role of Jordan’s Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in the city.

They reiterated that the 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is exclusively a place of worship for Muslims, and emphasized that the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, retains sole authority over its administration and access.

The statement also condemned Israel’s approval of more than 30 new settlement units, calling it a violation of international law, including relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and a 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

The ministers further condemned rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank, including attacks targeting schools and Palestinian children, and called for accountability for those responsible.

They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territories and rejected any attempts at annexation or forced displacement of Palestinians.