Amman: The foreign ministers of the Arab Ministerial Committee emphasized the necessity of confronting Israeli policies aimed at altering the Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity of occupied Jerusalem. The ministers, representing member states of the committee tasked with international action against such measures, expressed a unified stance during their meeting in Amman, highlighting the threat posed by Israeli actions to the city and its holy sites.
According to Union of OIC News Agencies, the meeting, also attended by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia, underscored a collective resolve to address these challenges. Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi articulated that Israel's actions violate the sanctity of holy sites and infringe upon the freedom of worship, calling for international intervention to halt these violations.
Safadi reiterated the position that Al-Aqsa Mosque is solely a place of worship for Muslims and emphasized that Jerusalem's sovereignty is Palestinian, with the Hashemite custodianship overseeing its holy sites. Palestinian Foreign Minister Farsin Aghabekian Shahin highlighted the heightened threat to Jerusalem amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza and escalating settlement activities.
Shaheen called for a strategic plan to protect Jerusalem's identity and support Palestinian resilience, emphasizing the dire need for international accountability for Israeli actions. She articulated that the continuous Israeli violations, including settlement expansion and attempts to alter the status of holy sites, undermine efforts for a two-state solution.
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil Fahmy, warned of the escalating threats to Jerusalem's status, driven by Israeli occupation policies. Fahmy called for a diplomatic campaign to expose these plans and urged the international community to take action before religious conflicts are exacerbated.
Fahmy advocated for a comprehensive Arab program to bolster the resilience of Jerusalemites amid ongoing restrictions and house demolitions. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar echoed calls for international action against illegal settlements and violence, stressing the importance of holding violators accountable.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti further condemned Israeli actions, urging support for Palestinian institutions and emphasizing the importance of Jerusalem's historical identity. Both ministers stressed the need for unified Arab and Islamic efforts to counteract these threats and support Palestinian rights.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty highlighted the precarious state of the Palestinian issue, warning against further escalation and violence. He reiterated Egypt's commitment to peace efforts and emphasized the need for Israel to adhere to ceasefire agreements.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein condemned Israeli violations in Jerusalem, stressing the importance of respecting UN resolutions and protecting the city's historical status. He called for international cooperation to ensure stability in the region.
The Arab Ministerial Committee's meeting reflected a strong collective commitment to safeguarding Jerusalem's identity and addressing the ongoing challenges posed by Israeli policies, urging the international community to take decisive action.