المملكة: Urgent: The Kingdom and 7 countries confirm their rejection of Israel’s violation of freedom of worship in occupied Jerusalem

They said in a statement issued today: "These continued Israeli actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as a violation of the historical and legal status quo, and constitute an infringement on the unrestricted right of access to places of worship."

The ministers affirmed their absolute rejection of the illegal and restrictive Israeli measures against Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem, including preventing Christians from free access to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to perform their religious rituals.

The need to respect the historical and legal situation

They stressed the need to respect the existing historical and legal situation in Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian holy places therein, reaffirming that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, and highlighting the need to stop all measures that hinder the worshipers’ access to their places of worship in Jerusalem.

The ministers renewed their condemnation. Because Israel continues to close the doors of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif to worshipers for 30 consecutive days, including during the holy month of Ramadan, and impose restrictions on freedom of worship, which constitutes a serious violation of international law, the existing historical and legal situation, and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power. They warned of the dangers of these escalatory measures to regional and international peace and security.

The ministers reaffirmed that the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its entire area of 144 dunams, is a pure place of worship for Muslims, and that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department of the Jordanian Ministry of Endowments, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sanctities is the legal body with exclusive jurisdiction to manage the affairs of the Holy Mosque and regulate entry to it.

Israel’s violations Continuing

The ministers called on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately stop closing the doors of the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, remove restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refrain from obstructing Muslim worshipers’ access to the mosque.

They also called on the international community to take a firm stance obligating Israel to stop its continued violations and illegal practices against the Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem, as well as its violations of the sanctity of these holy places.