Eight countries, including Indonesia, condemn Israel over Al-Aqsa Mosque

Abu Dhabi—Foreign ministers from eight countries, including Indonesia, on Wednesday condemned Israel’s closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex gates to Muslim worshippers, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar stated that restrictions on access to Jerusalem’s Old City and places of worship there violate international law as well as the historical and legal status quo governing those sites.

The foreign ministers rejected what they characterised as illegal and unjustified Israeli measures. They condemned Israeli actions towards worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, whilst emphasising that Israel does not possess sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or the Islamic and Christian holy sites in the region.

They reaffirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex as a whole is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. Additionally, they stressed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem Endowment Affairs Department, which is affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, holds sole authority to manage the site.

The foreign ministers urged Israel to immediately reopen the mosque gates, lift access restrictions to Jerusalem’s Old City, and ensure that Muslim worshippers can reach the location freely.

They also urged the international community to take a firm stance to halt what they described as ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.