Arab and Islamic condemnation of the occupation's violations in Jerusalem

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and several other Arab and Islamic countries issued a strongly worded joint statement expressing their deep condemnation of the Israeli occupation's violations in Jerusalem and against Islamic and Christian holy sites. The statement was signed by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Republic of Turkey. The ministers emphasized the gravity of the ongoing incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound (Haram al-Sharif) by settlers and extremist ministers under the protection of Israeli police, considering the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards a dangerous escalation.

The historical context of the legal status of the Temple Mount

This unified stance comes amidst ongoing attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, which has been established and maintained for decades. Historically, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound holds immense religious significance, encompassing 144 dunams and serving as a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. In this context, the ministers emphasized the importance of the historical Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, stressing that the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, is the sole legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction over the management of the mosque's affairs and the regulation of access to it, in accordance with international laws and conventions recognized since before 1967.

The repercussions of the occupation's violations in Jerusalem on regional stability

is not limited of the occupation's violations in Jerusalem to the religious sphere; it extends to pose a direct threat to regional and international security and stability. The ministers clarified that these provocative actions constitute a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and represent an unacceptable affront to the feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide. The continuation of these practices, coupled with the escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the targeting of schools and children, is fueling tensions and undermining any genuine efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, potentially leading to negative repercussions that could extend beyond the Palestinian territories and affect the stability of the entire region.

Rejection of settlements and adherence to the two-state solution

In a move reflecting international consensus, the ministers strongly condemned all illegal settlement activity, including the Israeli government’s recent decision to approve the construction of more than 30 new settlements. They considered this action a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. They reaffirmed their absolute rejection of any attempts to annex territory or displace the Palestinian people, emphasizing that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory.

An urgent call for the international community to assume its responsibilities

In closing their statement, the ministers issued a clear and urgent appeal to the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities. They demanded decisive and unequivocal steps to compel Israel to halt its dangerous escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem and to end its illegal practices. They also reaffirmed their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their inherent right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent and sovereign state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasized that a political solution based on the two-state solution is the only path to achieving a comprehensive and just peace.