Amman: The meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee, tasked with mobilizing international action in response to illegal Israeli policies and measures in occupied Jerusalem, concluded with a joint statement. The gathering, held in Jordan on Wednesday, brought together foreign ministers and representatives from several Arab and Islamic countries to address the escalating situation in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
According to Qatar News Agency, the statement was issued at the invitation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It included participation from foreign ministers of the Arab States, along with representatives from Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Malaysia. The meeting aimed to discuss the unprecedented Israeli escalation in Jerusalem and to launch joint actions against all illegitimate Israeli measures that threaten further conflict in the region.
The participants collectively condemned Israeli policies aimed at changing the Arab Islamic and Christian identity of Jerusalem, declaring such actions as null and void under international law. They reaffirmed that East Jerusalem is part of the occupied Palestinian territory, emphasizing that Israel has no sovereignty over the area. The ministers reiterated their commitment to a two-State solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian State, as the pathway to peace.
The joint statement also addressed Israeli violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, condemning attempts to alter its status and the provocations by extremist settlers. The ministers emphasized that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship solely for Muslims, with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf having exclusive jurisdiction over its affairs.
Additionally, the committee condemned violations against Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, underscoring the threat to the historic Christian presence. The statement supported the Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem's holy sites and called for international intervention to halt Israeli measures.
The Arab Ministerial Committee also recognized the role of the Al-Quds Committee and supported efforts to safeguard Jerusalemites' resilience. They warned that Israeli actions could provoke a religious conflict affecting global peace and security and called on the international community to pressure Israel to respect the status quo in Jerusalem.
The meeting concluded with a call for a joint ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States to further address the situation in Jerusalem at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was thanked for organizing the meeting.