Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan have condemned the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers in occupied East Jerusalem, in the latest round of diplomatic reactions to tensions at the sensitive holy site.
The three countries described the incident as a violation of the historical and legal status quo at the compound, warning that repeated provocations could increase instability in the region.
In separate statements, Qatar’s foreign ministry said Al-Aqsa Mosque is an exclusively Muslim place of worship and rejected what it called unilateral measures aimed at changing its status. The UAE also condemned the settlers’ entry under the protection of Israeli police, describing it as an unacceptable provocation, while calling for respect for holy sites and restraint.
Jordan, which acts as custodian of the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, also strongly denounced the incident, describing it as reckless and a breach of established arrangements governing the site.
The developments come amid ongoing tensions surrounding the compound, which is located in East Jerusalem — an area occupied by Israel since 1967. The site is regarded as one of the most sensitive religious locations in the Middle East and has been a frequent flashpoint between Israeli authorities and Palestinian worshippers.
In this latest incident, Israeli settlers reportedly entered the compound through the Al-Maghrabah Gate, raised flags, and performed religious chants under police protection, according to reports.
The incident has renewed concerns across the region, including in the Gulf, where stability in Jerusalem is closely monitored due to its wider political and religious significance.
