**Arab and Muslim Countries Condemn Israeli Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque**
**July 23, 2026** – In a significant diplomatic response, eight Arab and Muslim-majority nations have issued a strong condemnation of the recent storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers and far-right groups. The joint statement, released on Thursday, highlighted concerns over escalating tensions and the potential impact on peace efforts in the region.
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates denounced what they termed “mass incursions by settlers led by extremist Israeli ministers” into the revered site, known as the Noble Sanctuary in Islamic tradition. The statement emphasized that these actions occurred under the protection of Israeli police forces, raising alarms about the implications for religious harmony and security.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam, and the recent events have sparked outrage among Palestinians and the broader Muslim community. The foreign ministers expressed that such provocative actions only serve to “fuel hatred and extremism” and obstruct the pursuit of a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution framework.
On the day of the incidents, over 4,200 Israeli settlers and members of far-right groups reportedly stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, marking one of the largest incursions of the year, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av. This day of mourning commemorates the destruction of the ancient Jewish temples, which, according to religious tradition, were believed to have stood at the site known to Muslims as Al-Aqsa and to Jews as the Temple Mount.
The statement from the eight countries also criticized the Israeli government’s actions, asserting that “Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites.” It called the storming of Al-Aqsa an “unlawful attempt to alter the historical and legal status quo” of the holy sites in Jerusalem, a sentiment echoed by various Palestinian officials who reported that Israeli forces imposed tight restrictions at the mosque’s gates, preventing many Palestinian worshippers and students from entering.
Additionally, the involvement of Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who entered the site under heavy police protection, has further intensified the situation. The joint statement condemned the “illegal and extremist acts” associated with these incursions and called for an immediate lifting of restrictions on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The international community was urged to take a firm stance against Israel's actions, with the foreign ministers calling for accountability regarding ongoing violations and illegal practices against the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The statement underscored the need for a collective effort to uphold the sanctity of these sites and to prevent further escalation of violence.
The backdrop to these events includes a ruling from the International Court of Justice in 2024, which deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as illegal. This ruling has added to the complexity of the situation, with ongoing disputes over sovereignty and rights to access religious sites.
As tensions continue to mount, the situation in East Jerusalem remains precarious, with the potential for further unrest if diplomatic efforts do not yield results. The condemnation from these eight nations reflects a growing concern over the stability of the region and the urgent need for dialogue and resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.