Eight Muslim nations, led by Türkiye, demand global action to halt Israel's Jerusalem violations
2026-03-11 - 20:03
The foreign ministers of eight Muslim nations united Wednesday in a forceful condemnation of Israeli restrictions on Muslim worshippers' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar issued a joint statement denouncing what they termed "illegal and unjustified measures" against worshippers at Jerusalem's holiest Islamic site. Joint statement condemns violations of international law The ministers declared that "security restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship coupled with discriminatory and arbitrary access restrictions to the other places of worship in the old city constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship." The statement specifically condemned Israel's "continued provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers." Ministers affirm Muslim exclusive rights to Al-Aqsa The joint statement emphasized that "Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites." The ministers reiterated that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa compound "is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims" and affirmed that Jordan's Waqf authority possesses "exclusive jurisdiction to administer the affairs of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and regulate entry to it." Call for international community to compel Israel The foreign ministers urged the global community to "adopt a firm position that compels Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem." They specifically called on Israel, "as the occupying Power, to immediately cease the closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, remove access restrictions to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers' access to the mosque." Closure unprecedented since 1967 occupation Israeli authorities have maintained the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque for multiple consecutive days, preventing worshippers from performing prayers during the last days of Ramadan. Palestinian sources reported that this marks the first time since Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 that Taraweeh prayers and Itikaf have been prevented inside the mosque. Jordanian King Abdullah II earlier warned that Israel could exploit the regional crisis to intensify attacks on Palestinian holy sites during Ramadan.