Arab and Muslim Leaders Criticize Israel Over Jerusalem Holy Sites

Bangla Press Desk:   The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and several other Muslim countries on Thursday condemned repeated violations of the legal status quo of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem by Israeli authorities.

The continued storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli settlers and extremist ministers under the protection of Israeli police was condemned in a statement released by the foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkiye and Pakistan.The ministers reiterated that these provocative actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, represent an unacceptable provocation to Muslims worldwide, and are a blatant violation of the sanctity of the holy city.

The ministers affirmed their categorical rejection of any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, and stressed the necessity of preserving it, while acknowledging the special role of the historical Hashemite custodianship of the sites.

The ministers reiterated that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal entity with exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The ministers further condemned accelerating and 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.

They emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and categorically rejected any attempts to annex the Occupied Palestinian Territory or to displace the Palestinian people.

The ministers stressed that such actions constitute a deliberate and direct attack on the viability of the Palestinian State and on the implementation of the two-State solution, increase tensions, undermine peace efforts, and hinder ongoing initiatives aimed at de-escalation and the restoration of stability.

The ministers reiterated their call for the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and compel Israel to halt its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank, and to put an end to its illegal practices.

The ministers called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities and 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 ministers reiterated their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, particularly their right to self-determination and an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.