ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Pakistan and seven leading Arab and Islamic countries have strongly condemned Israel’s latest actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, describing them as a serious violation of international law, United Nations resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo governing the holy site.

Joint Statement on Al-Aqsa Violations

According to a joint statement issued by the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, the ministers denounced the continued incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers led by extremist Israeli ministers under the protection of Israeli security forces. They also condemned the raising of the Israeli flag inside the mosque compound, the installation of police tents, and other provocative actions.

The eight countries said these actions were illegal and inflammatory, warning that they fuel hatred, religious extremism, and tensions while undermining efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, similar to the broader diplomatic efforts often discussed in regional security dialogues like those regarding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s engagement with the Saudi Crown Prince.

Condemnation of Discriminatory Restrictions

The foreign ministers also condemned calls by extremist Israeli groups encouraging further incursions into the mosque compound and denounced restrictions imposed on Muslim worshippers seeking access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its holy sites. They said such discriminatory measures violate international humanitarian law and represent an unlawful attempt to alter the historical and legal status of occupied East Jerusalem.

The joint statement reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites, and rejected any attempt to change the city’s historical, legal, or demographic character. The ministers stressed that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims. They reaffirmed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, operating under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, remains the only legally recognized authority responsible for administering the mosque and regulating access to it.

Call for International Intervention

The eight countries called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately remove all restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, ensure unhindered access for Muslim worshippers, and cease all actions that violate the sanctity of Islamic and Christian holy places. This follows the broader context of regional stability, as emphasized in recent high-level commitments such as the Army Chief General Asim Munir’s focus on national and regional security.

They also urged the international community to adopt a firm and united position to compel Israel to end its ongoing violations and illegal practices in occupied East Jerusalem and protect the historical and legal status of its religious sites. The joint statement reiterated the participating countries’ commitment to safeguarding Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy places and supporting all international efforts aimed at preserving peace, stability, and the internationally recognized status of the city, keeping with the diplomatic urgency seen in other major international agreements.