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MOSCOW - The foreign ministers of eight countries condemned Israel's actions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported, citing a joint statement by the ministers.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque (Al Haram Al Sharif) in East Jerusalem is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Its status remains a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On Thursday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the appearance of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem on Tisha b'Av, a national day of mourning and strict fasting in Judaism.
"The foreign ministers of the Republic of Türkiye, Arab Republic of Egypt, Republic of Indonesia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates condemn in the strongest terms the Israeli escalation at Al Aqsa Mosque / Al Haram Al Sharif, particularly the continued mass settlers’ incursions led by extremist Israeli ministers, into Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif under the protection of the Israeli forces, the raising of the Israeli flag within its courtyards, the erection by Israeli police of two tents, and all other inflammatory acts," the statement read on Thursday.
The statement noted that such actions constitute a gross violation of international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo of the holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.
"Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites," the statement added.
In addition, the ministers called on Israel to "immediately remove access restrictions to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshippers’ access to the mosque." - BERNAMA