UAE, regional ministers condemn closure of Al Aqsa Mosque gates

The ministers stated that security restrictions imposed on access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its places of worship, along with discriminatory and arbitrary measures affecting access to other holy sites in the Old City, constitute a blatant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and the historical and legal status quo governing the holy sites.

Rejection of Israeli measures

The ministers reiterated their absolute rejection and condemnation of the closure of Al Aqsa Mosque’s gates and Israel’s ongoing provocative actions against worshippers at the sacred site.

They emphasised that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Administration of Al Aqsa Mosque

The ministers reaffirmed that the entire compound of Al Aqsa Mosque, covering 144 dunams, is an exclusively Muslim place of worship. They stressed that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is the legal authority responsible for overseeing the mosque and managing access to it.

Call for international action

The ministers urged Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately reopen the gates of Al Aqsa Mosque, lift restrictions on access to the Old City of Jerusalem, and stop obstructing Muslim worshippers from reaching the holy site.

They also called on the international community to take a strong stance, urging Israel to cease its violations and illegal activities against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and to honour the sanctity of these locations.