Eight Muslim countries condemn Israel over Al-Aqsa access restrictions

Foreign ministers from eight Muslim-majority countries have strongly condemned Israel over the continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim devotees, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said the restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law.

The ministers said the security restrictions and what they described as discriminatory and arbitrary access limitations to religious sites in the Old City undermine the historical and legal status quo and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship.

They also rejected and condemned what they termed Israel’s continued provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers, stressing that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The statement reiterated that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, covering 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. It also affirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal authority responsible for administering the mosque and regulating entry.

The ministers called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately reopen the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers from entering the holy site.

They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to halt what they described as ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.