RAMALLAH, March 11, 2026 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemned, in the strongest terms, the continued Israeli assault on Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram al-Sharif, carried out by forcibly closing it to worshippers and imposing strict restrictions on access to the Old City and other places of worship in Jerusalem under so-called “security” pretexts, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the ministry reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or any part of the land of the State of Palestine. It emphasized that Israeli policies and measures constitute a blatant violation of Palestinian rights, a clear breach of international law, and a disregard for the established historical and legal status of the holy sites, which must be protected. The ministry also stressed that these actions infringe upon the freedom of worship.

The ministry further emphasized that Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram al-Sharif, encompassing 144 dunums, is exclusively a place of worship for Muslims, and that any unilateral measures by the Israeli occupation constitute an attack on this historical and legal right.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates held the Israeli occupation government fully responsible for these violations. It called on the Israeli government to immediately reopen Al-Aqsa Mosque and lift all restrictions on worshippers’ access.

It also urged the international community and its institutions to take urgent action to halt these violations, ensure freedom of worship in occupied Jerusalem, reiterating its longstanding demands that the occupation be ended and that those responsible be held accountable without delay.

T.R.