Muslim countries, including UAE, condemn Israel over al-Aqsa occupation Eight Muslim countries, including the UAE, issued a joint statement condemning Israeli activists’ occupation of the al-Aqsa mosque, which involved raising the Israeli flag and performing prayers, violating a long-standing agreement. The ministers condemned these “provocative and unacceptable acts” as a “flagrant violation” of international law and the historical status quo, warning that such actions fuel instability and undermine peace efforts. The statement also expressed solidarity with Palestinians and their right to a state with East Jerusalem as its capital, underscoring that even nations friendly to Israel have limits regarding Jerusalem’s holy sites.

• Eight Muslim countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, and Turkey, jointly condemned Israel.
• The condemnation stems from approximately 200 hard-line Israeli activists storming the al-Aqsa mosque, raising the Israeli flag, and performing prayers.
• These actions are described as a violation of the decades-old agreement allowing only Muslims to worship at the site.
• The joint statement called the acts “provocative and unacceptable,” a “flagrant violation” of international law and UN resolutions.
• The ministers held Israeli authorities responsible for halting escalatory measures, warning of exacerbated tensions and undermined peace efforts.
• The statement also appealed to Christian sympathies by mentioning “systematic and illegitimate measures” against Islamic and Christian holy sites.
• The UAE’s participation is noted as significant given its recent warming relations with Israel.
• The article links Israeli actions at al-Aqsa to Hamas’s October 7th attack, which was codenamed ‘al-Aqsa Flood’.