Top Arab, Muslim diplomats launch plan to protect Jerusalem religious sites

Top Arab and Muslim diplomats have launched a coordinated initiative to safeguard religious sites in Jerusalem, warning that Israeli actions threaten to ignite broader religious conflicts and destabilize regional and global stability. The effort was announced following a meeting held in Jordan on Wednesday, where foreign ministers from several Arab and Muslim nations convened to outline a long-term strategy to monitor and publicise alleged Israeli violations in occupied East Jerusalem and its holy sites. The joint declaration issued after the meeting outlined a range of measures designed to counter perceived Israeli encroachments. These include the establishment of a permanent monitoring body tasked with documenting and exposing Israeli activities that allegedly infringe upon the rights of religious communities. A key component of the plan involves creating a media platform to disseminate information about these violations to international bodies and the general public. The goal is to raise awareness and pressure governments to take action against what the declaration describes as unlawful Israeli policies. Participants in the meeting included senior figures such as Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, alongside representatives from Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They urged immediate international intervention to stop Israeli measures affecting Jerusalem and its sacred spaces. The declaration specifically condemned Israeli efforts to modify the city's Arab, Islamic, and Christian character, as well as its legal and demographic composition, calling such actions illegal under international law. The statement warned that Jerusalem faces growing risks, with its Islamic and Christian holy sites increasingly under threat. It accused Israel of expanding its control over East Jerusalem through settlement expansion, land annexation, property confiscation, and the marginalisation of local residents. The declaration highlighted recent incidents involving Israeli authorities and settlers who have reportedly attempted to alter the historical and legal status of religious sites, particularly the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which holds profound significance for Muslims. Israeli policies have also drawn criticism for targeting Christian holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where pilgrims gather to commemorate the life and death of Jesus Christ. The declaration noted that Christians face restrictions on access to this site, as well as interference in the management of church affairs and properties. It also mentioned attacks on clergy and religious symbols, with some reports indicating that Christian institutions are being subjected to financial pressures through legislation deemed illegitimate by the participating states. The proposed initiative includes calls for a joint ministerial meeting between the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States during the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level week in New York later this year. This would provide an opportunity for further discussion on the situation in Jerusalem and the protection of religious heritage there. The plan reflects a growing concern among Arab and Muslim nations that ongoing Israeli actions could lead to heightened tensions and potentially escalate into broader conflicts.