Pakistan blasts Israel over provocative actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Tuesday censured Israel over the provocative actions that undermine the religious, historical and legal status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

A statement issued by the Foreign Office read, “Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest provocative actions by Israeli occupying power as well as illegal settlers that aim to undermine the religious, historical and legal status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.”

Read more: Shehbaz says Pakistan supports peaceful Iranian nuclear programme

Describing these actions as unacceptable, the Foreign Office said it constituted “a flagrant violation of the international law, and have the potential to further escalate an already volatile situation in the region.”

“Pakistan calls for upholding the sanctity and historical status of the holy sites, and preventing Israel from any further provocations,” it added.

The reaction came after the right-wing Israelis in Jerusalem stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and a United Nations facility for Palestinian refugees as an annual march took place marking Israel’s conquest of the eastern part of the city.

GAZA

On the other hand, Pakistan also expressed serious reservations over the unending killing of Palestinians in Gaza by the occupying power – Israel.

“The latest reprehensible attack against a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza is an example of continued Israeli impunity.”

In this context, the Foreign Office said the harrowing images being witnessed by the world in the aftermath of the attack that resulted in dozens of deaths, many of them children, should be a wake-up call for the international community.

“These attacks must end forthwith, and Israel must be held accountable for its heinous crimes.”

At the same time, the Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s “unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and calls for the establishment of an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.”