Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, 1 June issued a sharp condemnation of the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by Israeli settlers, calling it a 'flagrant violation of international law' and an 'unacceptable provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world.' The statement warned that repeated provocations risk fuelling further violence and regional escalation.

What Happened at Al-Aqsa

According to reports, Israeli settlers entered the mosque compound through Al-Maghrabah Gate — an access point fully controlled by Israeli authorities — under the protection of Israeli police. Settlers reportedly raised Israeli flags on the steps leading to the Dome of the Rock and sang the Israeli national anthem during the incursion. The compound, administered by Jordan's Ministry of Awqaf, has been a recurring flashpoint since East Jerusalem was occupied in June 1967.

Qatar's Official Position

Doha's foreign ministry stated that Al-Aqsa Mosque is 'an exclusively Muslim place of worship' and that all unilateral measures aimed at altering the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem are 'null and void under international law.' The ministry described the settler actions as 'a dangerous attempt to impose a new reality in occupied Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian sanctities.'

Qatar also reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian cause, calling for an end to the occupation and the establishment of 'an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.'

Warning of Escalation

The ministry issued a direct warning: continued violations and provocations could 'fuel further violence and escalation in the region, undermining prospects for de-escalation and stability.' It renewed its call on the international community to 'act urgently and compel Israel, as the occupying power, to stop its ongoing violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites.'

Jordan's Role and Regional Context

Jordan, which holds the legal custodianship of Al-Aqsa under the Hashemite Custodianship arrangement, separately warned settlers against actions aimed at creating a new reality that would 'temporally and spatially divide' the landmark. Frequent clashes — including settler raids and restrictions on Muslim worshippers — have been documented at the compound since 1967, making it one of the most contested religious sites in the world. This latest incident is the most recent in a pattern of settler incursions that have drawn repeated international censure.