CAIRO, March 15, 2026 (WAFA) – The League of Arab States has strongly condemned the ongoing closure by Israeli occupation authorities of the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram al-Sharif to worshippers, preventing them from performing prayers and religious rituals, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan and its final ten nights.
The League described this action as a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as the established legal and historical status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram al-Sharif.
It further called the measure an unprecedented provocation to the feelings of nearly two billion Muslims worldwide and a serious infringement on freedom of worship and access to holy sites.
The member states affirmed their absolute rejection and strong condemnation of this illegal and unjustified measure, as well as Israel’s attempt to justify it by citing current regional developments.
They also denounced the continued provocative actions by Israeli authorities at Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram al-Sharif and against worshippers.
The League stressed that Israel, as the occupying power, has no sovereignty over the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967, including the city of Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
The League further affirmed the sovereignty of the State of Palestine over the entire city of East Jerusalem, as the capital of the State of Palestine.
The League reaffirmed the significance of the historical Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, highlighting its vital role in protecting these sites and preserving their Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity, as well as the established historical and legal status quo. The League also emphasized that Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif, with its entire area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims.
It emphasized that the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, under Jordanian authority, is the sole legal administrator of the site, and affirmed that Israel, as the occupying power, has no right to restrict Muslim worship at the compound. They warned that such Israeli actions risk escalating tensions and pose a serious threat to both regional and international peace and security.
The League of Arab States called on the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, to assume its responsibilities and adopt a firm position compelling Israel, as the occupying power, to halt its ongoing illegal and illegitimate violations and practices against Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
The League also urged an immediate end to violations of the sanctity of holy places, respect for the right to freedom of worship, and adherence to the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sites.
Additionally, the League called for the reopening of all gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers, the removal of restrictions on Palestinians’ access to Jerusalem, respect for their freedom of worship, and compliance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
T.R.
