In a rare and unified diplomatic front, the foreign ministers of eight major Arab and Islamic nations—Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—issued a joint statement on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, condemning Israel’s continued restrictions on religious freedom in occupied Jerusalem. The statement follows an unprecedented weekend of tension where both Muslim and Christian leaders were barred from their respective holiest sites.
“A Flagrant Violation of International Law”
The joint declaration characterizes the current restrictions as a “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate” breach of the historic status quo.
- 30-Day Closure of Al-Aqsa: The ministers highlighted that the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif have remained closed to worshippers for 30 consecutive days, including the entirety of the holy month of Ramadan.
- Christian Holy Week Disruption: The group expressed “absolute rejection” of the blockade that prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Custos of the Holy Land from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass.
- The Sovereign Claim: The statement reiterated that Israel, as the “occupying Power,” holds no legal sovereignty over Jerusalem’s holy sites and demanded an immediate end to all measures that impede worshippers’ access.
Security Concerns vs. Religious Liberty
The Israeli government and police have defended the measures as necessary “public safety” protocols during the ongoing war with Iran.
- Lack of Shelters: Israeli police stated that the Old City’s narrow alleyways lack standard protected spaces (bomb shelters) and cannot accommodate large emergency vehicles in the event of a ballistic missile strike.
- Netanyahu’s Intervention: Following an international outcry—and a personal condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly ordered authorities to grant “full and immediate access” to the Catholic Cardinal for the remainder of Holy Week.
- Ramadan and Passover: Despite the reprieve for church leadership, the Al-Aqsa compound remains largely empty, and Jewish worshippers at the Western Wall have been limited to groups of 50 in designated enclosed areas as Passover approaches.
Regional and Global Impact
The joint statement from the eight nations is being viewed as a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure on the Netanyahu administration.
- Jordan’s Custodianship: The ministers emphasized that the Jerusalem Endowments (Waqf), affiliated with Jordan, remains the “exclusive legal entity” authorized to administer Al-Aqsa affairs.
- Vatican Response: From Rome, Pope Leo XIV expressed grave concern that Middle Eastern Christians were being prevented from observing their holiest days “for the first time in centuries.”
- U.S. Stance: Even U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, a staunch ally of the current Israeli government, characterized the barring of the Cardinal from a private ceremony as an “unfortunate overreach.”
| Metric / Restriction | Peacetime Status | Status (March 31, 2026) |
| Al-Aqsa Access | Thousands of worshippers daily | Closed for 30 consecutive days |
| Holy Sepulchre | Open for Holy Week pilgrims | Restricted; Senior clergy barred Sunday |
| Western Wall | Unrestricted access | Limited to 50 people per area |
| Old City Shops | Vibrant tourist economy | Largely shuttered and deserted |
A Warning of “Regional Destabilization”
The statement concluded with a warning that these “arbitrary and discriminatory” measures are fueling a cycle of violence and tension that threatens the security of the entire region. The eight nations called on the international community to take a “firm position” to compel Israel to restore unrestricted access to the holy places, arguing that the “right to worship” must not be sacrificed even during times of war.
