JUUERSLAEM, August 21, 2026 (WAFA) — The Jerusalem Governorate affirmed that the arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque was a pivotal moment in the systematic targeting of Jerusalem and its holy sites, stressing that the fire was not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing policy aimed at altering the city’s religious, historical and legal identity.

The Governorate said that Jerusalem continues to face escalating attempts to impose new realities on the ground and within its holy sites, including repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, the performance of religious rituals in its courtyards, restrictions on access for worshippers, and the imposition of measures that undermine the existing historical and legal status quo.

In a statement, the 57th anniversary of the arson attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Governorate warned that these measures constitute a direct violation of the sanctity and status of Al-Aqsa Mosque and a threat to Jerusalem's identity and its Arab, Islamic, and Christian character.

The Jerusalem Governorate affirmed that the Al-Aqsa Mosque, with its entire area of ​​144 dunams, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims, and that East Jerusalem is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory and the capital of the State of Palestine.

 It categorically rejected all attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, impose a temporal or spatial division, or introduce religious rituals and objects into its courtyards, as such actions constitute a clear violation of international law and UN resolutions.

The Governorate also emphasized that targeting the Al-Aqsa Mosque cannot be separated from policies aimed at changing the identity of Jerusalem, displacing its Palestinian residents, and undermining their presence in the city. It stressed that protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites and preserving their historical and legal status quo is a shared national, Arab, Islamic, and international responsibility.

On this anniversary, the Jerusalem Governorate commended the historic role of the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to protect Jerusalem and its holy sites, and strengthening Arab, Islamic, and international coordination to prevent any unilateral measures aimed at altering the city's identity or compromising the status and religious function of Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The Jerusalem Governorate called upon the international community, the United Nations, Arab and Islamic states, and relevant international institutions and bodies to translate statements of condemnation and concern into practical political and legal measures that guarantee a halt to violations, protect the holy sites, and hold those responsible accountable.

It stressed that preserving Al-Aqsa Mosque is not merely a Palestinian matter, but an international responsibility that affects regional and international peace and security.

The Jerusalem Governorate reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Jerusalem and its holy sites and upholding the Palestinian people’s right to their city and capital, stressing that no just and lasting peace can be achieved by altering Jerusalem’s identity, undermining its holy sites or imposing a new reality by force at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Y.S