Pakistan and seven other Muslim-majority nations have condemned Israel over new restrictions on Muslim and Christian worship in Jerusalem, citing limits on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the barring of clergy from leading Palm Sunday prayers at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The measures coincided with the holy month of Ramadan and the Christian observance of Palm Sunday, intensifying concerns over religious freedoms.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Türkiye, Jordan and Egypt described the restrictions as a violation of international law and the historical status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites. They said the continued limitations infringed on the unrestricted right of worship and called on Israel, as an occupying power, to immediately lift the measures.

The ministers also criticized the closure of Al-Aqsa’s gates for 30 consecutive days, warning that such actions could further destabilize the region. They urged the international community to take a firm stance to halt what they called ongoing violations against Islamic and Christian holy places. Several European leaders also voiced concern after Palm Sunday Mass could not be held in Jerusalem.