The foreign ministers of Türkiye and seven other Muslim-majority countries have strongly condemned what they called repeated Israeli violations of the historic and legal status quo at Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, with particular concern over Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates denounced repeated incursions by Israeli settlers and officials into the mosque compound under police protection, as well as the raising of Israeli flags inside its courtyards.
They described the actions as a “flagrant violation” of international law and international humanitarian law, warning that they amount to an unacceptable provocation for Muslims worldwide.
The ministers said such actions violate the sanctity of Jerusalem and undermine efforts to preserve calm in one of the world’s most sensitive religious and political flashpoints.
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Al-Aqsa status must not change
The statement reaffirmed total rejection of any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo at Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The ministers stressed that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — spanning 144 dunams — is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims.
They also underlined the special role of Jordan’s Hashemite custodianship and said the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, remains the only legitimate authority responsible for administering the site and regulating entry.
They rejected any Israeli attempts to assert sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
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