14 Arab, Palestinian groups urge international action to protect East Jerusalem

A coalition of 14 Arab and Palestinian organizations has issued an urgent appeal to the international community, calling for collective action to safeguard East Jerusalem amidst escalating Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city's historical identity. The joint statement, released on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, highlights what they describe as an unprecedented escalation by Israel targeting the mosque, Jerusalem's residents, and the city's Arab, Islamic, and Christian heritage.

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Israel is carrying out an unprecedented escalation by targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque, the residents of Jerusalem, and the Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity of the holy city.

According to the organizations, these policies aim to establish a new fait accompli on the ground, reinforcing Israeli control through the use of force. They emphasize that Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islam's third holiest site, while Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of ancient Jewish temples. Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, in 1967 and annexed the entire city in 1980, a move not recognized internationally.

The signatories assert that Jerusalem is currently experiencing one of the most critical periods in its modern history. This critical phase is characterized by increased incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex by Israeli extremist groups, occurring under the protection of Israeli security forces. These actions are accompanied by attempts to impose time-sharing and spatial division within the mosque's compound.

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These policies aim to create a new reality on the ground and strengthen Israeli control through the use of force.

The appeal also draws attention to various measures targeting worshippers, including the issuance of entry bans for religious and national figures, the targeting of Al-Aqsa Mosque guards, and restrictions on freedom of worship. The organizations view these steps as deliberate attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of the holy site.

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Jerusalem is currently facing one of the most critical periods in its modern history.