Pakistan, allies condemn Israel over curbs on worship in Jerusalem's holy sites

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, along with seven other countries, has strongly condemned Israel for imposing restrictions on the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem, calling the measures a clear violation of international law and religious rights.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, the joint condemnation was made alongside the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia and Qatar amid growing concerns over access to religious sites in the city.

Since the escalation of hostilities following the US-Israel war on Iran that began on February 28, Israeli authorities have tightened security measures and restricted access to key holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians. These measures have significantly limited the ability of worshippers to perform religious rituals, particularly during important occasions such as Ramazan and Palm Sunday.

The joint statement expressed “strong rejection” of these actions, noting that Muslim worshippers were barred from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif, while Christian religious leaders, including the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct Palm Sunday prayers.

Describing the restrictions as “illegal and unjustified,” the ministers said such actions constituted a “flagrant violation of international law” and an infringement on the fundamental right to freedom of religion. They stressed that these measures undermine the long-standing legal and historical status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites.

The statement further emphasised that Israel, as an occupying power, does not possess sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem and is bound by international obligations to ensure access to religious sites for all communities.

The ministers also voiced concern over the continued closure of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque for an extended period, including during the holy month of Ramazan. They termed the prolonged restrictions a dangerous escalation that could further inflame tensions and destabilise the region.

Highlighting administrative authority over the site, the statement reiterated that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department — affiliated with Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs — holds exclusive jurisdiction over the mosque’s management and entry regulations.

The joint statement called on Israel to immediately lift restrictions, reopen access to religious sites in the Old City, and refrain from obstructing worshippers. It also urged the international community to take a firm stance and pressure Israel to halt what it described as ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy places.

Recent developments have intensified concerns, including the prevention of senior Christian clergy from entering churches for religious services and the unprecedented closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque at the end of Ramazan — the first such occurrence in decades — forcing worshippers to offer Eid prayers outside the compound.

The coordinated diplomatic response reflects growing unease among Muslim-majority countries over the situation in Jerusalem, with warnings that continued restrictions could have serious implications for regional peace and interfaith harmony.