ISLAMABAD: Eight Muslim countries, including Pakistan, condemned the “repeated violations” by the Israeli occupation authorities on Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites, particularly the “continued incursions by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers” into the Al-Aqsa Mosque under Israeli police protection.
Earlier this week, Pakistan condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the raising of the occupying power's flag within its courtyard by illegal Israeli settlers.
The settlers on Tuesday stormed the compound of the holy site in occupied East Jerusalem amid escalation across the West Bank.
In a separate joint statement, issued by Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the foreign ministers reiterated that provocative actions at the mosque constituted a “flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law,” representing an unacceptable provocation to the Muslim community around the world.
According to the statement issued on X, the ministers reaffirmed their “categorical rejection of any attempts to alter the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites,” stressing preservation while recognizing the special role of the historic custodianship in this regard.
The ministers condemned the accelerating illegal settlement activity, including Israel's decision to approve over 30 new settlements, which constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including United Nations Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
They condemned the continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including recent attacks on Palestinian schools and children, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
While emphasizing that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the ministers “categorically rejected any attempts to annex the Occupied Palestinian Territory or to displace the Palestinian people.”
They stressed that actions constituted a deliberate and direct attack on the viability and the implementation of the two-State solution. They said that the move would “increase tensions, undermine peace efforts, and hinder ongoing initiatives aimed at de-escalation and the restoration of stability.”
Addressing the international community, the ministers said that they should “take clear and decisive steps to halt these violations.”
“They also called on the international community to intensify all regional and international efforts to advance a political solution that achieves a comprehensive peace based on the two-State solution,” the statement said.
“The Ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and to realize the independent Palestinian state.”
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