Arab and Muslim countries condemn Israeli storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Eight Arab and Muslim-majority Countries Condemn Al-Aqsa Mosque Incursions
CAIRO – Eight Arab and Muslim-majority nations have issued a strong condemnation of the recent incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers and far-right groups.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates denounced what they termed “mass incursions” led by extremist Israeli ministers, asserting that these actions occurred under the protection of Israeli police forces.
The statement emphasized that the incursions into Islam’s third-holiest site were provocative and detrimental to efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution. It described the escalation as “an unlawful attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo” of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
“Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites,” the statement asserted.
On Thursday, over 4,200 Israeli settlers and far-right group members entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, marking one of the largest incursions of the year, coinciding with the Jewish observance of Tisha B’Av. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also participated in the incursion under heavy police guard.
Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces imposed strict restrictions at the mosque’s entrances, preventing many Palestinian worshippers and students from accessing the site and alleging assaults on some individuals.
Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and formally annexed it in 1980. In a 2024 ruling, the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as illegal.
Under the existing status quo, the Al-Aqsa Mosque is managed by the Jerusalem Waqf, a body appointed by Jordan.
Thursday also marked Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning in Judaism that recalls the destruction of two ancient Jewish temples, which, according to religious tradition, are believed to have stood at the site known in Islam as Al-Aqsa and in Judaism as the Temple Mount.
The joint statement vehemently criticized “illegal and extremist acts” characterized by incitement, calls to mobilize incursions, and violence perpetrated by Israeli ministers and extremist groups.
It urged Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately remove the restrictions placed on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and called upon the international community to take decisive action to compel Israel to cease its ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
