The statement said that the foreign ministers of Turkey, Jordan, the UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt condemned "the continued closure by the Israeli occupation authorities of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers, especially during the holy month of Ramadan."
They stressed that "the security restrictions imposed (...) constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, of the existing historical and legal status, and of the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship."
The ministers affirmed their "absolute rejection and condemnation of these illegal and unjustified measures, and of Israel's continued provocative practices at Al-Aqsa Mosque and against worshippers," and stressed that "Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied city of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites."
The statement reiterated that "the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims," and they also emphasized that "the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, is the legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction over managing the affairs of Al-Aqsa Mosque and regulating entry to it."
The ministers called on Israel, as the occupying power, to "immediately cease closing the gates of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and not impede the access of worshippers to the mosque," and called for "lifting the restrictions imposed on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, and refraining from obstructing the access of Muslim worshippers to the mosque."
The statement called on the international community to "take a firm stance that compels Israel to stop its ongoing violations and illegal practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and its violations of the sanctity of these holy places."
Since February 28, Israel has been closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and preventing prayers there, including Taraweeh prayers, under the pretext of a declared state of emergency coinciding with the ongoing Israeli-American war on Iran.
