Foreign ministers from eight Arab and Islamic countries expressed their strong condemnation of the practices pursued by the Israeli occupation authorities in occupied Jerusalem, especially regarding the closure of the gates of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers. The joint statement included Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt, in addition to Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia, where they emphasized their categorical rejection of these measures that coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.
In their statement, the ministers affirmed that the security and arbitrary restrictions imposed on access to the Old City and places of worship constitute a blatant violation of the principles of international law and international humanitarian law. They pointed out that these practices aim to undermine the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, and are a direct assault on the freedom of worship guaranteed by international conventions for all peoples under occupation.
The statement reiterated the firm position that Al-Aqsa Mosque, in its entirety of 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and the occupation has no legal sovereignty over Islamic and Christian holy sites in the holy city. The ministers also clarified that the Jerusalem Awqaf Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, is the sole and legally authorized body to manage the affairs of the Haram and regulate the entry of worshippers.
The signatory countries demanded that the occupation authorities, as the occupying power, immediately cease all forms of escalation and lift the restrictions imposed on the movement of worshippers, ensuring their safe access to the mosque. The ministers warned that the continuation of these provocations would lead to further tension in the region, requiring urgent intervention from active international powers to stop these ongoing violations.
In conclusion of the statement, the ministers called on the international community to bear its legal and moral responsibilities towards what is happening in occupied Jerusalem, and to work to compel the occupation to respect the sanctity of holy sites. They stressed the need for a firm international stance that puts an end to the discriminatory policies targeting the Arab and Islamic identity of the city, affirming that peace and stability cannot be achieved except by respecting legitimate Palestinian rights.
The entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and the occupation has no sovereignty over it.
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International Bloc of 8 Countries Condemns Occupation Restrictions at Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan