Israel responds to 14 countries and reaffirms current rules in Al-Aqsa

Fourteen Islamic nations have joined forces to promote action against Israeli practices. This initiative was formalized at the conclusion of the Ministerial Meeting on Support for Jerusalem and its Holy Sites, held in Amman.

The meeting included diplomatic leaders and representatives from Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Palestine, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkey, in addition to the Arab League.

The event was convened by Jordan in response to the increasing presence of Israeli settlers and far-right figures on the Temple Mount Plaza, located in the Old City of Jerusalem. This site houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, whose guardianship and protection are the responsibility of the Hashemite monarchy.

The countries present in Amman stated that these practices, which are becoming progressively more serious and illegal, occur regularly, even after condemnations issued by Jordan and the rest of the Muslim world. However, such reports are ignored by Israeli authorities, constituting a provocation.

The final declaration establishes the launch of an initiative aimed at pressuring the international community to compel Israel, as an occupying power, to respect the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites. Furthermore, it calls upon the UN Security Council to take immediate action against Tel Aviv.

The communiqué added that such actions are being intensified within a systematic Israeli policy aimed at consolidating the occupation of Jerusalem and all occupied Palestinian territory through settlement expansion, land annexation, and economic restriction on Palestine.

A particularly serious incident occurred on July 23, when over 3,000 settlers were escorted by Israeli police to the Temple Mount Plaza complex (referred to as the Temple Mount by Israelis) during the holiday of Tisha B'Av. Participants performed prayers and religious songs and raised Israeli flags near the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Among those present at this incident was Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, an ultranationalist individual who has repeatedly engaged in similar acts in the Old City, classified by Jordan as a 'flagrant violation' of the status quo.

The Islamic delegates gathered in the Jordanian capital also warned about the continuous violation of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip by Israel. These actions, according to them, impede the advancement of the two-state solution (Israel and Palestine), which has the backing of the majority of the international community.

It was also agreed that both the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, comprising 57 countries, and the Arab League would hold ministerial meetings during the UN General Assembly, scheduled for September 22 to 28.

The final declaration, which contains 15 points primarily condemning Israeli attitudes, does not foresee concrete measures but rejects the opening or transfer of diplomatic missions to Jerusalem, as this would be contrary to international law and UN resolutions.