RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - A group of eight Muslim‑majority countries has issued a joint condemnation of what they described as repeated violations at the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, warning that such actions risk escalating regional tensions and undermining peace efforts.

Indonesia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates condemned what they called continued incursions by extremist Israeli settlers into the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound under the protection of Israeli forces, as well as the raising of Israeli flags within the mosque’s courtyards.

According to a statement posted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its X account on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the foreign ministers of the eight countries said the actions were unacceptable and constituted a violation of international law, as well as the historical and legal status quo governing holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem.

The ministers also condemned what they described as systematic Israeli measures aimed at altering the historical, legal, and demographic character of occupied East Jerusalem and undermining the sanctity and status of Islamic and Christian holy sites in the city.

“They reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, while emphasizing its preservation and recognizing the special role of the Hashemite custodianship in this regard,” the joint statement said, as quoted by Antara.

The ministers reiterated that the entire 14.4‑hectare Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.

They further stated that the Jerusalem Awqaf and Al‑Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal authority with exclusive jurisdiction over the management of the mosque and the regulation of access to the site.

The foreign ministers called on Israeli authorities to assume responsibility and stop what they described as escalatory actions. They warned that repeated violations could increase tensions, fuel instability and extremism, weaken international peace efforts, and constitute a clear breach of Israel’s obligations under international law.

“They called for the immediate cessation of all such illegal and provocative Israeli practices and reaffirmed the need to respect the historical and legal status quo at the Al‑Aqsa Mosque in its entirety,” the statement said.

The ministers also reiterated their full solidarity with the Palestinian people and support for what they described as their legitimate rights, including the right to self‑determination and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In addition, they expressed support for efforts to end the Israeli occupation and achieve a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace through a two‑state solution in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The statement followed reports that Israeli settlers entered the Al‑Aqsa Mosque compound on May 31, 2026, under the protection of Israeli police and raised Israeli flags within the mosque grounds. ***