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Attacks by Israeli settlers on Muslim holy sites are fueling “hostility” and hindering lasting peace, a coalition has said.
Eight Arab and Muslim-majority countries have strongly condemned the bombing of the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem by far-right groups and thousands of Israeli citizens.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates condemned the “massive attack led by Israeli extremist ministers on the Noble Sanctuary” of Al-Aqsa.
The diplomats confirmed that the blast at the third holiest Muslim site was carried out under the protection of Israeli police.
“These outrageous actions encourage hatred and extremism, and hinder efforts to advance a just and lasting peace on the basis of bilateral cooperation,” the statement said, calling the escalation “an illegal attempt to change the history and laws” of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
“Israel has no control over occupied Jerusalem or its Muslim and Christian holy sites,” it said.
More than 4,200 Israeli residents and members of far-right groups attacked Al-Aqsa Mosque Thursday, one of the biggest events this year, marking the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av.
Right-wing Israeli Defense Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also he entered the place under heavy police protection.
Palestinian officials say Israeli soldiers have placed heavy metal doors on the mosque’s gates, preventing many Palestinian worshipers and students from entering, and beating several people.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and annexed it in 1980. The mission of Israel of the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, is prohibited.
Under the existing provisions, the Jerusalem Waqf, an organization appointed by Jordan, manages the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Thursday is the Jewish day of mourning, Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the destruction, twice, of the ancient Jewish temple, according to religious tradition, which is believed to have stood on the site known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
A joint statement on Thursday condemned “the illegal and extremist practice represented by propaganda and calls to encourage immigration, as well as the violence perpetrated by Israeli ministers and violent groups”.
The statement called on Israel, “as the ruling power, to lift the restrictions” imposed on access to the Al-Aqsa mosque.
It also called on countries “to take action to force Israel to stop violating the laws and illegal practices by Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem, as well as to violate the sanctity of this holy site”.
