ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced the repeated incursions by Israeli forces into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque and criticized acts of violence committed by “extremist” Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. The ministry urged the international community to take immediate action to prevent such incidents.
In recent weeks, there has been a surge in attacks by Israeli settlers, particularly those living in outposts, targeting Palestinians, anti-settlement activists including Israeli and foreign individuals and even Israeli soldiers. Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank since 1967, with over 500,000 Israelis now residing in settlements within the territory.
Pakistan condemned these actions in a statement, highlighting ongoing violations by Israel’s occupying forces and extremist settlers in the West Bank. The foreign ministry specifically pointed to repeated raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards and provocations against worshippers as part of these violations, calling them a clear breach of international law and relevant UN resolutions.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in Jerusalem, is recognized as Islam’s third holiest site after Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah. This sacred site holds deep religious significance for over two billion Muslims worldwide and remains a central symbol in both the spiritual and political dimensions of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
These frequent raids by Israeli forces on the mosque’s courtyards, along with harassment of Palestinian worshippers, continue to provoke strong reactions across the Muslim world. In light of these developments, Pakistan’s foreign office called for upholding the sanctity of Islamic holy sites while respecting international law and the historical status quo.
The foreign ministry further appealed to the global community to take urgent and effective steps to protect these religious sites, curb settler violence and incursions, and ensure adherence to pertinent UN resolutions.
Pakistan, which does not maintain diplomatic ties with Israel, has persistently criticized Tel Aviv for its actions in Gaza. According to reports, Israel has killed approximately 69,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, before agreeing to a tenuous ceasefire brokered by the United States.
