The foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have strongly condemned the continued escalation of settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the ministers denounced recent attacks on the Grand Mosque in the village of Jiljilya and Al-Farouq Mosque in Al-Mazra’a Al-Nubani, north of Ramallah.They said the attacks constitute a clear violation of the sanctity of places of worship, international law, international humanitarian law and relevant UN resolutions.
The ministers expressed their unequivocal rejection of the attacks carried out by Israeli settlers and of what they described as ongoing illegal unilateral Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory.
They warned that such actions fuel instability, violence and extremism, while undermining international efforts to achieve peace.
The statement held Israel, as the occupying power, responsible for the attacks.
The ministers also renewed their call on the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by compelling Israel to halt what they described as a dangerous escalation in the West Bank, end illegal practices, stop settler violence and ensure accountability for those responsible.
The eight countries reaffirmed their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their support for their legitimate and inalienable rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination.
They reiterated support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The ministers also renewed their backing for all efforts aimed at ending the Israeli occupation and achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.
