Pakistan, 7 Muslim nations condemn Israeli incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque

Pakistan, alongside Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, issued a strong condemnation of what they termed "continued incursions by extremist Israeli settlers into Al Aqsa Mosque" under Israeli forces' protection. The foreign ministers also denounced the raising of Israeli flags within the mosque's courtyards.

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continued incursions by extremist Israeli settlers, into Al Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli forces, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards

In a joint statement, the ministers declared these actions "provocative and unacceptable," asserting they constitute a "flagrant violation of international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo at the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem." They reaffirmed their "categorical rejection" of any attempts to alter this status quo, recognizing the Hashemite custodianship's special role.

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these provocative and unacceptable actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, the relevant United Nations resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo at the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministers reiterated that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque area belongs to Muslims and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department holds exclusive jurisdiction. They held Israeli authorities responsible for halting these "escalatory actions," warning that repeated violations exacerbate tensions and undermine peace efforts.

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The foreign ministers reiterated that the entire area of Al Aqsa Mosque, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal entity with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and to regulate entry thereto.

Furthermore, the group reaffirmed their "unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people" and their support for a sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. They backed all efforts for a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, international law, UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

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repeated Israeli violations exacerbate tensions, fuel instability and extremism, undermine international efforts to achieve peace, and constitute a clear breach of Israel’s obligations under international law