ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by a member of the Israeli occupation authority and members of the Knesset under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. The Foreign Office of Pakistan has called upon the international community to take urgent action to address the escalating Israeli transgressions in the occupied territories.
In a press statement, the Foreign Office Spokesperson expressed Pakistan’s deep concern over the violation of the sanctity of one of the holiest sites in Islam. The incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque is viewed as yet another reprehensible event in a series of escalating Israeli actions that disrespect the religious sentiments of over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
The spokesperson emphasized that such acts are inconsistent with the right to freedom of expression, religion, and belief of the Palestinian people, flagrantly defying humanitarian and human rights laws and norms. Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and reiterated the call for a viable, independent, and contiguous Palestinian State with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. This is seen as the only just and comprehensive solution to the long-standing Palestinian issue.
🔊: PR NO. 9️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Pakistan strongly condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli occupation authorities
🔗⬇️https://t.co/ZTzjxtMiTo pic.twitter.com/xmp1HlzDLq
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 20, 2023
The Foreign Office statement also condemned a recent annual flag-waving march in Jerusalem’s Old City, commemorating Israel’s capture of it. The march, attended by tens of thousands of Israeli nationalists, was deemed as another event that violated the sanctity of the holy site. The FO highlighted that it was part of a series of escalatory Israeli actions that disregard the religious sentiments of Muslims worldwide.
Pakistan urges Int’l community to take immediate action
Pakistan urged the international community to take immediate action to put an end to Israeli transgressions in the occupied territories. The statement emphasized that these transgressions have been significantly increasing since the beginning of the year, demanding urgent attention and intervention.
Ahead of the Israeli march, Palestinians in annexed east Jerusalem closed their shops, and the Damascus Gate entrance to the Old City was off-limits to them, making way for the marchers. Some of the participants in the march attacked journalists with rocks and bottles, causing further tensions. The police made arrests in response to the attack.
The rally took place shortly after a ceasefire was established, ending the recent cross-border fighting between Israel and militants in Gaza. However, the event sparked renewed tensions, with thousands of Palestinians gathering in Gaza for a rival flag day on the Israeli border.
Israeli troops responded by firing tear gas toward anyone approaching the border fence, while Hamas, the ruling Islamist group in Gaza, fired a “warning rocket” into the sea.
The day of the march marked the anniversary of Israel’s annexation of east Jerusalem and its Old City following the Six-Day War in 1967. However, this move has never been recognized by the international community.
The escalating tensions in Jerusalem and the violation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’s sanctity continue to be major concerns for Pakistan and many other nations, which are calling for immediate action to address the situation and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people.
