ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expressed strong condemnation on Saturday over the storming of al-Aqsa mosque by a member of the government of Israel and members of the Knesset, its parliament, who were accompanied by occupation forces.
The Foreign Office issued a press statement urging the international community to take immediate action to halt the increasing Israeli transgressions in the occupied territories.
The violation of the sanctity of al-Aqsa mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, is viewed as yet another reprehensible event in a series of escalatory Israeli actions that display a lack of respect for the religious sentiments of over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
The Foreign Office emphasised that such acts are in direct contradiction to the fundamental rights of freedom of expression, religion, and belief for the Palestinian people. These actions not only defy humanitarian and human rights laws and norms but also perpetuate further tensions in the region.
Pakistan reiterated its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and renewed its call for the establishment of a viable, independent, and contiguous Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
This comprehensive and just solution remains the only way to resolve the long-standing Palestinian issue, the statement said.
The statement came after hundreds of Jewish pilgrims, including members of the Israeli parliament, embarked on tours of the mosque compound situated in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Known as the Noble Sanctuary among Muslims, this revered site holds the status of being the third holiest in Islam, while also bearing significance for Jews as the Temple Mount — a remnant of their faith’s ancient temples.
Although the visits proceeded without any major incidents, Palestinians expressed their discontent over the increasing number of Jewish visitors to the compound, especially those who openly violate the ban on non-Muslim prayers in the area.
The presence of Jewish pilgrims has stirred strong emotions among Palestinians, fueling concerns over the potential for further tensions.
