Jerusalem:The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by over 1,300 Israeli settlers during the ongoing escalation in the city. It criticized the public religious rituals performed within the mosque's courtyards under the protection of Israeli police, as well as the restrictions placed on Palestinian worshippers.
According to Qatar News Agency, the General Secretariat stated that these incursions and practices represent a significant violation of the mosque's sanctity. The actions were described as systematic efforts to alter the established historical and legal status quo, potentially leading to the division of the mosque. The Israeli occupation authorities were held fully responsible for these actions and their implications for regional security.
The statement also condemned remarks by the Israeli Minister of National Security about Jerusalem, asserting that Israeli claims of sovereignty do not alter the city's legal status as occupied territory or negate Palestinian rights. It highlighted the dangers posed by these statements and the incursions.
The Arab League called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take urgent measures to stop these attacks, ensure freedom of worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and hold violators accountable. The statement emphasized the need for effective international action beyond mere condemnation.
Finally, the Arab League reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian people in Jerusalem and rejected attempts to change the city's Arab-Palestinian identity, reiterating that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 and the capital of Palestine.