Qatar and seven other countries urged an end to Israeli settler incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, warning that repeated violations threaten regional stability and peace efforts.
Qatar joined seven Muslim-majority countries on Tuesday in condemning continued incursions by Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of Israeli forces, warning that the actions risk further inflaming tensions across the region.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan denounced the raising of Israeli flags inside the compound and described the actions as a violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions and the historic and legal status quo governing the holy site.
The statement came as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi separately condemned ongoing incursions by “extremist settlers” into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under Israeli protection.
Al-Budaiwi said the actions represented a “flagrant violation” of international law and international legitimacy resolutions, warning that attempts to alter the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its Islamic holy sites would fuel instability and undermine prospects for peace.
The eight countries reaffirmed their rejection of any efforts to change the status quo in occupied East Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, while emphasising the importance of preserving the Hashemite custodianship over the site.
They also stressed that the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, covering 144 dunams, is an exclusively Muslim place of worship and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, which falls under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, remains the sole authority responsible for administering the site.
The ministers held Israel responsible for halting what they described as escalatory actions, warning that repeated violations increase tensions, fuel instability and extremism, and undermine international efforts to achieve peace.
They called for an immediate end to illegal and provocative Israeli practices at the site and reiterated their support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Al-Budaiwi also reiterated the GCC’s full solidarity with Palestinians and support for their legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state in line with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The joint statement further reaffirmed support for efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution.
