Arab League Condemns Israeli Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque During Ramadan

The Arab League has strongly condemned Israel’s continued closure of the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to worshippers, calling the move a “serious violation” of international law and an infringement on freedom of worship, according to a ministerial statement issued Sunday.

In a statement adopted by the Arab League Council at the ministerial level, member states denounced Israeli authorities for preventing Palestinians from accessing the Al-Aqsa Mosque, particularly during the last ten nights of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The council said the measure constitutes a provocative act that undermines the legal and historical status quo at the holy site and offends the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide. 

The ministers reaffirmed that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over East Jerusalem or its Islamic and Christian holy sites. They also stressed the importance of the historical Hashemite custodianship over the holy places in Jerusalem. 

The Arab League called on the international community and the U.N. Security Council to take firm action to compel Israel to halt its violations and immediately reopen the mosque to worshippers.