The foreign ministers of Türkiye and seven other Muslim-majority countries have strongly condemned what they called repeated Israeli violations of the historic and legal status quo at Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, with particular concern over Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates denounced repeated incursions by Israeli settlers and officials into the mosque compound under police protection, as well as the raising of Israeli flags inside its courtyards.
They described the actions as a “flagrant violation” of international law and international humanitarian law, warning that they amount to an unacceptable provocation for Muslims worldwide.
The ministers said such actions violate the sanctity of Jerusalem and undermine efforts to preserve calm in one of the world’s most sensitive religious and political flashpoints.
Al-Aqsa status must not change
The statement reaffirmed total rejection of any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo at Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The ministers stressed that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound — spanning 144 dunams — is an exclusive place of worship for Muslims.
They also underlined the special role of Jordan’s Hashemite custodianship and said the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, remains the only legitimate authority responsible for administering the site and regulating entry.
They rejected any Israeli attempts to assert sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.
Settlements and violence under fire
The ministers also condemned Israel’s approval of more than 30 new settlements, calling the move a serious violation of international law, UN Security Council resolutions and the 2024 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
They warned that expanding settlements and rising settler violence in the occupied West Bank — especially attacks targeting Palestinian schools and children — are directly undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state.
The statement called for accountability for settler attacks and rejected any attempt to annex occupied Palestinian land or forcibly displace Palestinians.
They said such actions represent a deliberate assault on the two-state solution and threaten regional stability by escalating tensions and weakening diplomatic efforts.
Call for international action
The ministers urged the international community to take “clear and decisive steps” to stop Israeli violations and uphold legal and moral responsibilities.
They called for renewed efforts to advance a comprehensive political solution based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The group reaffirmed unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination and warned that continued inaction would only deepen instability across the region.
