UAE, Arab, Islamic nation FMs condemn restrictions on Muslims, Christians in Jerusalem

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A joint statement was released by the foreign ministers of Gulf, Arab and Islamic countries condemning decisions preventing Muslims and Christians accessing places of worship within Jerusalem.

The countries involved in the statement are the UAE, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The restrictions in question, according to the statement, are those that Israel imposes on Muslims wishing to access Al Haram Al Sharif, and Al Aqsa Mosque in particular. Also mentioned was the recent incident when the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custos of the Holy Land was barred from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate the Palm Sunday Mass.

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Historical status quo in Jerusalem

The foreign ministers reiterated their condemnation and rejection of any Israeli attempts to alter the legal and historical status quo at Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

"These continued Israeli measures constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as of the legal and historical status quo, and represent an infringement on the unrestricted right of access to places of worship," continued the statement.

The ministers also restated that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, and stressed that all measures that stop worshippers' access to these places of worship must cease.

Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan

The statement went on to reiterate the foreign ministers' condemnation of Israel closing the gates of Al Aqsa Mosque to worshippers throughout Ramadan. They said it was "a restriction of freedom of worship, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, the existing legal and historical status quo, and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power."

The entire area of Al Haram Al Sharif, amounting to 144,000 square metres (144 dunams), is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, read the statement. It added that the only legal entity that can control entry to the location is the Jerusalem Endowments and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

The statement concluded with the foreign ministers calling on Israel to remove any restrictions that prevent Muslims from entering Al Aqsa Mosque. They also called on the international community to "adopt a firm position that compels Israel to halt its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, as well as its violations of the sanctity of these holy places."