Foreign ministers from multiple countries, including Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, have condemned in the strongest terms and rejected what they described as continued restrictions imposed by Israel on the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem.
In a joint statement, the ministers cited measures including the prevention of Muslim worshippers from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif, as well as the prevention of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. They also renewed their rejection of what they described as Israeli attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
The ministers said these measures constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the historical and legal status quo, and represent an infringement on the unrestricted right of access to places of worship.
They affirmed their absolute rejection of what they described as illegal and restrictive measures against Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem, including preventing Christians from freely accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to perform religious rites. They stressed the need to respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, reiterating that Israel, as the occupying Power, holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem and calling for all measures impeding access to places of worship to be halted.
The ministers also condemned what they described as the continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif to worshippers for 30 consecutive days, including during the holy month of Ramadan, and restrictions on freedom of worship, calling these serious violations of international law and Israel’s obligations as the occupying Power. They warned that such measures could pose risks to regional and international peace and security.
They further reiterated that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif, amounting to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal authority responsible for administering the site and regulating entry.
The ministers called on Israel to immediately cease the closure of the mosque’s gates, remove access restrictions in the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers. They also urged the international community to take a firm position to compel Israel to halt what they described as ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.