ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and seven other Muslim states on Thursday condemned Israel’s illegal incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, increased settler activity in Palestine and increasing settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, warning such actions violated international law.
Jerusalem is sacred to all three Abrahamic religions and has been at the center of heightened tensions since Israel began its military campaign in Gaza in October 2023. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islam’s third-holiest site, while the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is revered by Christians as the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion.
The joint statement was issued a day after over 500 Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, accompanied by Israeli forces, and performed Jewish rituals near Bab Al-Rahma and the Dome of the Rock, according to the Wafa news agency.
A joint statement by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE condemned “repeated violations of the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites” by Israeli authorities.
“The ministers reiterated that these provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and represent an unacceptable provocation to Muslims around the world, and a flagrant violation to the sanctity of the holy city,” the statement read.
The foreign ministers stressed the need to preserve Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and reiterated that the entire area of the mosque, which amounts to 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.
The statement also condemned Israel’s move this month to approve over 30 new settlements in the West Bank, describing it as “flagrant violation” of international law, including UN Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
“The Ministers also 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,” the joint statement added.
“They categorically rejected any attempts to annex the Occupied Palestinian Territory or to displace the Palestinian people.”
The ministers urged the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities and compel Israel to halt its “dangerous escalation” in the West Bank.
“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.
‘ILLEGAL INCURSIONS’ IN SYRIA
Separately, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad condemned Israel’s incursions into Syria and its occupation of Syrian territories.
Ahmad was speaking at the UN Security Council during a briefing on the humanitarian and political situation in Syria on Thursday.
“Pakistan condemns continued Israeli violations of Syria’s sovereignty, including illegal incursions and occupation,” he said.
“These actions undermine the sincere and good faith efforts of the Syrian government for stability and must therefore cease immediately,” he added.
