RIYADH — Foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and seven other Islamic countries condemned the repeated violations of the historical and legal status quo governing Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem by the Israeli occupation authorities.
They expressed particular concern over the continued incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers under the protection of Israeli police, as well as the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey reaffirmed that these provocative actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law. They further described them as an unacceptable provocation to Muslims worldwide and a blatant infringement on the sanctity of the holy city.
The ministers reiterated their unequivocal rejection of any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, underscoring the imperative of its preservation. They also recognized the special role of the historical Hashemite custodianship in this regard.
They further affirmed that the entire area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram Al-Sharif, encompassing 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. They emphasized that the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, remains the sole legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction over the administration of the mosque and the regulation of entry to it.
The ministers also condemned all illegal settlement activities, including Israel’s decision to legalize more than 30 new settlements, describing it as a flagrant violation of international law, including UN Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. They further denounced the escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including recent attacks targeting Palestinian schools and children, and called for accountability for those responsible. They stressed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory and reiterated their absolute rejection of any attempts to annex it or forcibly displace the Palestinian people.
The ministers emphasized that such actions constitute a direct and systematic assault on the viability of a Palestinian state and the implementation of the two-state solution. They warned that these measures exacerbate tensions, undermine peace efforts, and obstruct ongoing initiatives aimed at de-escalation and the restoration of stability.
The foreign ministers renewed their call on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and to compel Israel to halt its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank and cease its illegal practices. They urged the international community to take clear and decisive measures to stop these violations and to intensify regional and international efforts toward a political solution that achieves comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.
The ministers also reaffirmed their steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Source: Saudi Gazette