Indonesia and Islamic countries reject Israel's restrictions on worship in Jerusalem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign ministers from Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey have issued strong condemnation and rejection of Israel’s restrictions on the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem.

In a joint statement released by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X on Tuesday, the ministers affirmed their rejection of various restrictions deemed to violate fundamental religious rights, including limitations on access to holy sites in the city.

“Israel’s ongoing measures constitute a clear violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the existing legal and historical status quo; and also a violation of the right of unimpeded access to places of worship,” read the joint statement.

The ministers emphasised that these efforts to restrict freedom of worship constitute a serious violation of international law, the legal and historical status quo, and Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.

They warned of the dangers of these escalatory measures to regional and international peace and security.

The joint statement also affirmed that the entire area of the Al-Haram Al-Sharif complex, covering approximately 144 dunams (about 144,000 square metres), is a place of worship exclusively designated for Muslims.

The management of the area, they continued, falls under the authority of the Jerusalem Waqf, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which holds full jurisdiction over regulating access and activities within it.

The ministers also called on the international community to take a firm stance to compel Israel to stop the ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as well as violations of the sanctity of those places.