Islamabad: Eight Arab and Islamic countries, including Pakistan, have issued a strong condemnation of what they describe as Israeli escalation at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Al-Haram Al-Sharif. The countries criticize the continued mass incursions by settlers, actions led by extremist Israeli ministers, the raising of the Israeli flag within the mosque’s courtyards, and other actions they deem inflammatory.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia released a joint statement. They assert that these actions constitute violations of international law, United Nations resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo at the holy sites in East Jerusalem. The statement further condemns what it describes as illegal acts of incitement and violence by extremist Israeli ministers and groups.

The ministers warned that such actions exacerbate hatred and extremism, hindering efforts toward achieving a sustainable peace based on a two-state solution. They emphasized that Israel does not hold sovereignty over Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites and reiterated their opposition to any attempts to alter the status quo.

The statement also highlighted the special role of the historical Hashemite custodianship in Jerusalem and called on Israel to remove access restrictions to the Old City, ensuring unobstructed access for Muslim worshippers to the mosque. The group urged the international community to take a firm stance against what they describe as Israel’s ongoing violations and illegal practices concerning the holy sites in Jerusalem.