Ankara: The foreign ministers of Trkiye and seven other countries have denounced the repeated Israeli violations concerning Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, particularly focusing on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif. The ministers declared these actions as a breach of international law and an unacceptable provocation to Muslims globally.
According to Anadolu Agency, the joint statement was released by the foreign ministers of Trkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The ministers criticized the continuous incursions by Israeli occupiers and officials into the compound under police protection and the raising of Israeli flags within its courtyards. They emphasized that such actions violate the sanctity of the holy city and disrupt the historic and legal status quo.
The statement underscored the rejection of any attempts to alter the status quo in Jerusalem's religious sites, highlighting the importance of the Hashemite custodianship role in overseeing these sites. It reaffirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, spanning 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, with the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Affairs Department, under Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf, holding authority over the site.
The foreign ministers also condemned the increasing illegal settlement activity by Israel, including the approval of over 30 new settlements, labeling it a violation of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions. They expressed concern over the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including attacks on Palestinian schools and children, and called for accountability.
The ministers asserted that Israel has no sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory and rejected any attempts to annex or displace the Palestinian population. They warned that such actions threaten the viability of a Palestinian State and undermine peace efforts and initiatives aimed at restoring stability and implementing a two-state solution.
The statement urged the international community to uphold its responsibilities and compel Israel to halt its actions in the West Bank and its illegal practices. The ministers called for decisive steps to advance a political solution based on a two-state framework, reaffirming their support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.