Jerusalem: The foreign ministers of Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt strongly condemned and rejected the ongoing Israeli restrictions on freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the ministers issued a joint statement denouncing Israel's prevention of Muslim worshippers from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. They also highlighted the prevention of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custos of the Holy Land, Francesco Ielpo, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass.
The ministers reiterated their condemnation and rejection of any Israeli attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo at Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. They stressed that these ongoing Israeli measures constitute a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and an infringement on the unrestricted right to access places of worship.
The statement further emphasized the necessity of respecting the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites. It highlighted the need to halt all measures that obstruct worshippers' access to their places of worship in the city.
The ministers condemned Israel's continued closure of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers for 31 consecutive days, including during Ramadan. They described this as a serious violation of international law and the established historical and legal status quo, as well as Israel's obligations as an occupying power.
They reaffirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Waqf Administration, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, holds the exclusive legal authority to administer the affairs of the Al-Haram Al-Sharif and regulate entry to it.
The ministers called on Israel to stop closing the gates of the Al-Aqsa compound, remove restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers. They also urged the international community to take a firm position compelling Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
