ISLAMABAD / CAIRO — Foreign ministers from Pakistan and seven other Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement on Friday strongly condemning recent “provocative and unacceptable” incursions into Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
The statement, released by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, denounced the breach of the historical and legal status quo at the holy site. Israeli ministers and settlers entered the compound under police protection, raised the Israeli flag, and set up tents.
Key Points of the Joint Declaration
The eight-nation group rejected Israel’s claim of sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem and called for an immediate end to all actions aimed at changing the legal and demographic character of the site.
- Status Quo Reaffirmation: The ministers reiterated that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is an exclusively Muslim place of worship, under the sole administration of the Jordanian-affiliated Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department.
- Violations Decried: They condemned the raising of the Israeli flag, installation of police tents, and restrictions placed on Muslim worshippers during the Jewish Tisha B’Av observance.
- Call to Action: The group urged the international community to take a clear and firm position, compelling Israel — as the occupying power — to abide by international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
🔈 PR No. 1️⃣8️⃣6️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Joint statement by Foreign Ministers of the group of eight Arab-Islamic states
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/I3PmbO9ao0
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 24, 2026
Context of the Incursion
The joint diplomatic response follows an incident in which Ben Gvir led hundreds of Jewish settlers into the compound during Tisha B’Av. Reports described open prayer performances and public assertions of Israeli control over the site.
Under the long-standing status quo arrangement, which falls under Hashemite custodianship, non-Muslims are allowed to visit the compound but are strictly forbidden from performing any religious prayers there.
