Muslim Nations Condemn Israel's Al-Aqsa Closure

Eight Muslim-majority nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, issued a joint statement condemning Israel's continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to Muslim worshippers during Ramadan. They asserted that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites and that the restrictions violate international law and the historical status quo. The Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, is recognized as having exclusive jurisdiction over the mosque. Israel cited security reasons, stemming from airstrikes with the United States against Iran, for the closures. Both Hamas and the Palestine===Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned Israel's actions.