Pakistan, 7 Other Muslim Nations Reject Alterations to Jerusalem's Holy Sites Status Quo

In a strong display of solidarity, the foreign ministers of Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority nations have unequivocally rejected any attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo of Jerusalem and its sacred Islamic and Christian sites. This joint statement underscores the deep concern felt across the Muslim world regarding the escalating provocations by Israeli occupation authorities.

The ministers specifically condemned the repeated incursions by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers into Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, often under the protection of Israeli police. The raising of the Israeli flag within the mosque's courtyards was cited as a particularly egregious act, constituting a flagrant violation of international law and an unacceptable affront to Muslims globally.

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The ministers reiterated that these provocative actions at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, 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 to the sanctity of the holy city.

This unified stance highlights the critical importance of preserving the sanctity of Jerusalem's holy sites. The ministers reaffirmed that the entire Al Aqsa Mosque compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, emphasizing the legal jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Endowments and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department. Furthermore, they condemned accelerating illegal settlement activities and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, reiterating that Israel holds no sovereignty over these territories and that such actions undermine the viability of a Palestinian state and the two-state solution. From our perspective in Pakistan, this issue transcends mere political dispute; it is a matter of religious and historical significance that resonates deeply with our populace.

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The Ministers stressed that 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