Arab Ministerial Committee Launches Joint Diplomatic Push in Amman Over Jerusalem Violations

The foreign ministers of 14 Arab and Islamic nations met in Amman, Jordan, for an emergency session of the Arab Ministerial Committee to coordinate a joint diplomatic response to the events in occupied East Jerusalem. The summit, which was held by Jordan’s invitation, discussed how to maintain the city’s historical, religious and cultural heritage, and how to enhance regional cooperation, on the subject.

The event had the participation of senior officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Türkiye, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries. Participants talked about how to enhance diplomatic activities and raise international concern over the situation in Jerusalem.

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United Regional Response

Another major achievement at the meeting was the mutual agreement to create a joint institutional mechanism with an appropriate platform for the media. The project has been undertaken to highlight changes to the status of holy sites and to actually distribute them to the international community in a coordinated manner within a regional structure.

The ministers stressed the need for more cooperation and communication to continue developments in Jerusalem being viewed as a major issue on the international diplomatic agenda.

Reaffirming the Status of Al-Aqsa Mosque

The protection of Al-Aqsa Mosque was of the greatest importance with the summit. The committee reiterated its stance that the whole compound of the 144 dunum is an Islamic worship place, and opposed any measure that would lead to changing its long-term Islamic and legal character.

The ministers also emphasized the need to keep the traditional mechanisms in place for the access to the holy site and respect its religious meaning.

Support for Jordan’s Hashemite Custodianship

The committee reiterated its support for Jordan’s historic Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The custodianship was seen by participants as one of the factors in the protection and conservation of religious heritage in the city and the protection of access to the city’s religious sites.

Jordan has been actively involved in the management of these sites for a long time and the Ministers reiterated their will to continue their cooperation on a regional level in order to support this oversight.

Protecting Christian Holy Sites

Christians’ apprehensions about religious houses and churches in Jerusalem were also discussed at the meeting. In addition to their praise of the protection of churches, clergy and worshippers, Ministers were also conscious of the need to safeguard the city’s multi-faith heritage.

The historical importance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the need for the communities of Christians to access it in the future was emphasised.

International Diplomatic Action

In the future, the committee announced that it will begin to raise the issue at future international meetings. Later this year, Ministers are calling for a joint meeting with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Its goal is to enhance diplomatic engagement and expand dialogue with a wider international community, including efforts to promote, preserve and contribute to Jerusalem’s historical and legal status.

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