JAKARTA - Indonesia along with seven Arab and Islamic countries condemned Israel's closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been going on for 12 consecutive days in the month of Ramadan. Citing Al Jazeera, Thursday, March 12, the move sparked criticism because it was accompanied by restrictions on Palestinian access to the Old City of Jerusalem and places of worship.
The joint criticism was delivered by Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates in a statement by foreign ministers released Wednesday. They judged Israel's policy as a blatant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the applicable historical and legal status, and the principle of free access to places of worship.
In the statement, the eight countries strongly rejected Israel's move as illegal and unfounded. They also condemned the ongoing provocative actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex against worshipers. Israel, they said, has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem nor over Islamic and Christian holy sites in the region.
Still quoted from Al Jazeera, the statement confirmed that the entire area of Al-Aqsa Mosque is intended for Muslims. The authority authorized over the complex is the Jerusalem Waqf Department and the Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs under the Jordanian Ministry of Waqf and Islamic Affairs.
Indonesia along with the seven countries urged Israel to immediately open the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, lift restrictions on the Old City, and stop obstructing Muslim worshipers. The international community is also encouraged to pressure Israel to stop the ongoing violations.
Israel argues that the restrictions are imposed for security reasons amid the war against Iran. However, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by the Wafa news agency and quoted by Al Jazeera, called the closure a blatant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people. Hamas also stated that the move created a dangerous historical precedent and violated freedom of worship.
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