A group of Arab countries has strongly criticized Israel’s recent actions in Jerusalem. During their latest meeting in Cairo, the Arab ministerial committee condemned Israel’s measures to isolate and control the city. They emphasized that Jerusalem is not under Israel’s sovereignty and that its sacred sites for Muslims and Christians should be protected.
This committee, formed in 2021 and led by Jordan, includes representatives from Iraq, Palestine, Algeria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Arab League Secretary-General. Their goal is to oppose policies they see as illegal and harmful to Jerusalem’s status.
In their joint statement, the committee condemned Israel’s approval of the E1 settlement plan. This plan aims to build more housing units in an area east of Jerusalem, called E1. Critics say this construction could split the West Bank into separate parts and make it harder for Palestinians to connect their communities, including East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. The committee sees this as an effort to undermine the idea of an independent Palestinian state.
The committee also criticized Israel for changing Jerusalem’s demographic makeup and its religious and historical character, which goes against international laws and resolutions. They condemned efforts to limit Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a holy site in East Jerusalem, and accused Israel of attempting to divide the area and control the religious site unfairly.
Since Israel occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War, it has built many settlements considered illegal by most of the international community. In recent years, settlement activities have increased, including the new approval of 3,401 homes in the E1 area in August. This move is believed to threaten the unity of Palestinian territory and further complicate peace efforts.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound remains a sensitive and important site. Although only Muslims are allowed to worship there, Jewish visitors can enter but are not permitted to pray. However, some far-right groups in Israel have been trying to change this status by praying at the site, which has raised tensions.
Overall, the Arab committee’s statement makes it clear: they want the world to stand against actions that threaten Jerusalem’s peace and the rights of Palestinians.
