Saudi Arabia and seven other countries reject Israel's violations of freedom of worship in Jerusalem

In a significant diplomatic development reflecting growing regional and international concern, Saudi Arabia, along with seven Arab and Islamic countries, issued a strongly worded joint statement condemning Israel’s ongoing violations targeting freedom of worship in occupied Jerusalem.

A unified international stance against restricting religious practices

The list of countries that signed the statement includes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Indonesia, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The foreign ministries of these countries expressed their categorical rejection of the systematic restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on both Muslim and Christian worshippers.

The statement highlighted a series of arbitrary measures, most notably preventing Muslim worshippers from freely accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Haram al-Sharif) and closing its gates to them for 30 consecutive days, a move that dangerously coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. The violations were not limited to Muslims; Christians were also subjected to restrictions, with the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land being prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, a dangerous precedent in restricting the practice of religious rites.

The historical and legal status of occupied Jerusalem

The city of Jerusalem, with its Islamic and Christian dimensions, represents a global spiritual center. Since the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, international law stipulates the need to preserve the historical and legal status quo of the holy sites. In this context, the ministers emphasized that the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its entire area of ​​144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.

They also reaffirmed the pivotal role of the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, as the sole legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction over the management of the affairs of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the regulation of entry to it, based on the internationally recognized historical Hashemite custodianship of the holy sites.

Repercussions of Israeli violations and breaches of international law

The eight countries stated that these Israeli practices constitute a flagrant violation of international law, specifically international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which guarantee freedom of worship and the protection of civilians in occupied territories. Israel's continued imposition of these restrictions, as the occupying power, infringes upon the inalienable right of access to places of worship.

Regionally, countries warned that these escalatory measures and the provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims and Christians worldwide would fuel tensions, negatively impacting regional and international peace and security. Attempts to alter the religious and historical identity of the Holy City undermine peace efforts and the two-state solution.

An urgent appeal to the international community

In closing, the countries issued an urgent appeal to the international community and its UN institutions, demanding a firm and decisive stance that compels Israel to immediately cease all its violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites. They also called for the removal of all restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and an end to obstructing the access of worshippers, categorically affirming that the Israeli occupation has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem and its holy sites.