Arab and Islamic nations, along with the European Union, have condemned the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation on the freedom of worship for Muslims and Christians in occupied Jerusalem. This comes as Israeli authorities continue to close the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second consecutive month.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries—Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey—denounced the prevention of Muslims from accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as the barring of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Custodian of the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct Palm Sunday Mass. Christians have also been denied free access to the church to perform their religious rituals.
Details of the Incident
These countries reiterated their rejection of any Israeli attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo in the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. They affirmed that the actions of the occupation constitute a blatant violation of international law and an infringement on the unrestricted right to access places of worship.
The foreign ministers also emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, stressing the need to halt all measures that hinder worshippers from reaching their places of worship in the city.
Background & Context
The nations warned of the dangers posed by these escalatory measures on regional and international peace and security, noting that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, which spans an area of 144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. They called on the international community to take a firm stance that compels Israel to cease its ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian sanctities.
In the same context, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the Israeli occupation authorities for preventing the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to conduct Palm Sunday Mass, an unprecedented occurrence in centuries. The organization considered this an attack on the authentic Christian presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, warning of the escalating violations against holy sites.
Impact & Consequences
The organization renewed its call for the international community to take practical measures to pressure the Israeli occupation authorities to stop these violations and ensure freedom of worship while preserving the existing legal and historical status of Islamic and Christian sanctities. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, described the Israeli police's prevention of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as a "violation of religious freedom."
He emphasized that "freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be fully guaranteed for all religions without exception," pointing to the importance of maintaining the multi-religious character of the city. In response to the Israeli escalation, Palestine sent identical messages to three UN officials, calling for the protection of freedom of worship and safeguarding the rights of the Palestinian people.
Regional Significance
The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, sent messages to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the President of the Security Council, and the President of the UN General Assembly, expressing concern over the recent Israeli escalation targeting the historical and legal status of holy sites in Jerusalem.
Mansour affirmed that the impunity enjoyed by Israel enables it to continue its violations of the most important rules of international law and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. He also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take immediate and effective measures to stop these violations.
It is noteworthy that Israeli authorities have been closing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Al-Aqsa Mosque since February 28, citing tensions in the region amid the Israeli-American war on Iran and the latter's response with attacks on Israel. These actions are part of an ongoing Israeli escalation in the West Bank that has persisted since the onset of the genocide against Gaza in October 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of 1,137 Palestinians, injury to approximately 11,750, and the arrest of around 22,000.
In light of these circumstances, Palestinians face significant challenges regarding their basic rights, raising fears of Israel's intentions to annex the West Bank, which the United Nations considers occupied Palestinian territory.