Indonesia and Middle Eastern Countries Strongly Condemn Israel for Blocking Muslims and Christians from Places of Worship

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Indonesia and six other Muslim-majority countries have strongly condemned Israel’s stance in restricting religious freedom for Muslims and Christians worshipping in Jerusalem.

This was affirmed by the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar in a post on the X account of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, @Kemlu_RI, on Tuesday (31/3/2026).

“The Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar strongly condemn and reject the ongoing restrictions imposed by Israel on the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem,” stated the caption from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu).

In addition, they also condemned Israel’s actions in prohibiting the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct Palm Sunday Mass services.

“They renew their condemnation and rejection of any Israeli attempts to change the legal and historical status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem,” Kemenlu continued.

Indonesia and the six other countries assess that Israel’s ongoing actions constitute a serious violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the legal and historical status quo.

The foreign ministers from the seven countries emphasised their absolute rejection of Israel’s illegal and restrictive actions against Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem.

“Reaffirming that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, and underscoring the need to halt all actions that obstruct worshippers’ access to their places of worship in Jerusalem,” it stated firmly.

Furthermore, the ministers reaffirmed that the entire area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif falls under the jurisdiction of the Jerusalem Waqf Department and the Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

Thus, they have the authority to regulate entry access and manage the affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

“They also call 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 these holy sites,” it added.