Overview
- The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar issued a joint condemnation Tuesday and demanded that Israel reopen Al-Aqsa.
- The statement called the curbs a flagrant breach of international law and of the long-standing status quo that protects free access to holy sites.
- The ministers said Al-Aqsa’s gates had stayed closed for about 30 days, including through Ramadan, which they described as a grave violation of religious freedom.
- They cited limits on Christian clergy reaching the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, including during Palm Sunday observances.
- The countries affirmed Jordanian Waqf custodianship and said the Al-Aqsa compound is reserved for Muslim worship, urging an end to Old City access restrictions.