House Inter-Parliamentary Body Strongly Condemns Israeli Settler Storming of Al-Aqsa Complex
The Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Body (BKSAP) of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem by thousands of Israeli settlers on Thursday (23/7).
BKSAP DPR RI Chairman Syahrul Aidi Maazat stated that the action was a provocative act with the potential to widen the escalation of conflict, disrupt regional stability, and hinder various diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.
“BKSAP DPR RI strongly condemns the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex by thousands of Israeli settlers, which took place under the protection of Israeli security forces. This action is a form of provocation that hurts the feelings of Muslims worldwide and has the potential to trigger a wider crisis in the Middle East,” he said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
According to him, the action violates the historical status quo that forms the basis for the management of the holy Al-Aqsa area. Attempts to unilaterally change these regulations contravene international law and risk triggering interfaith conflict.
He added that East Jerusalem remains classified as occupied territory under various United Nations (UN) resolutions. Therefore, efforts to alter the status of the territory are contrary to international humanitarian law.
He stated that the storming of Al-Aqsa is an international issue requiring a firm response from the global community, especially as various UN resolutions have repeatedly stressed the importance of protecting holy sites in Jerusalem.
On this basis, BKSAP DPR RI urges the international community, particularly the UN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to immediately take concrete steps to stop the repeated violations.
“The world cannot remain silent when the sanctity of places of worship is violated and when attempts are made to unilaterally change the legal status of occupied territory,” he said.
He also stressed that Indonesia will continue to fight for the independence of Palestine, the protection of holy sites, the enforcement of international law, and a peaceful resolution through parliamentary diplomacy.
Approximately 1,300 Israeli citizens entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday morning to commemorate the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av.
Via social media, the Jerusalem Governorate stated that Israeli police increased the number of participants in each group entering the Al-Aqsa complex to around 150 people. The authority also reported that Israeli forces imposed strict restrictions at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City area of Jerusalem.
According to the statement, Israeli forces were deployed in large numbers in the mosque’s courtyards and prevented Palestinian residents from entering the complex to worship. Only a small number of Palestinians were able to reach the mosque for dawn prayers before Israeli forces attacked several worshippers and other residents.