Arab, Islamic ministers condemn Israeli restrictions on worship in Jerusalem

RIYADH — Arab and Islamic countries on Monday strongly condemned Israel’s continued restrictions on freedom of worship in occupied Jerusalem, including preventing Muslim worshippers from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque and restricting Christian access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Türkiye, Qatar and the UAE rejected any Israeli attempts to alter the historical and legal status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.The ministers said the measures constitute a clear violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, and an infringement on the right to access places of worship.They reaffirmed their rejection of Israeli restrictions targeting Muslims and Christians, including preventing Christians from freely accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform religious rituals.The statement stressed the need to respect the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites, adding that Israel, as the occupying power, holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem.The ministers also condemned the continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers for 30 consecutive days, including during the holy month of Ramadan, describing it as a serious violation of international law and Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.They warned of the risks such measures pose to regional and international peace and security.The ministers reaffirmed that Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its full area of 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Awqaf Department under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf is the legal authority responsible for its administration and regulating access.They called on Israel to immediately reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove restrictions on access to Jerusalem’s Old City, and refrain from obstructing worshippers.The ministers also urged the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to end its violations and unlawful practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites.