Qatar Condemns Storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli National Security Minister, Settler Groups

DOHA, August 31, 2026 - The State of Qatar has condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli National Security Minister and groups of settlers, describing the incident as a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law and an unacceptable provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

The position was set out in a statement issued by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, as Doha reiterated its opposition to unilateral actions affecting the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.

Qatar Stresses Status Quo at Al-Aqsa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. It added that unilateral measures intended to alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites are, in Qatar's view, null and void under international law.

The statement reflects Qatar's longstanding diplomatic position that the status of Jerusalem's holy sites should be preserved and that changes imposed unilaterally risk deepening tensions surrounding one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Warning Over Escalation and Regional Stability

Qatar warned that the continuation of repeated violations and provocations could fuel further cycles of violence and escalation across the region. The ministry said such incidents could also undermine efforts aimed at de-escalation and broader regional stability.

The statement comes at a time of heightened sensitivity over developments in Jerusalem and the wider Palestinian territories, with access to and control over holy sites frequently becoming a focus of regional and international concern.

Call for Urgent International Action

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed Qatar's call on the international community to take urgent action to press Israel to halt what Doha described as ongoing violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites, and to comply with relevant international resolutions.

Qatar also underlined the importance of preventing actions that could inflame religious and political tensions and reduce the prospects for calm. Doha has repeatedly called for diplomatic engagement and adherence to international law as part of efforts to prevent further deterioration in the region.

Support for Palestinian Statehood Reaffirmed

The ministry reiterated Qatar's firm support for the Palestinian cause and for the Palestinian people. It said Qatar's position is based on ending the occupation and enabling Palestinians to obtain their legitimate rights.

Qatar specifically reaffirmed support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This remains a central element of Doha's stated approach to a negotiated settlement and the wider two-state framework.

The latest statement adds to a series of Qatari diplomatic positions opposing actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque that Doha says threaten the historical and legal status quo and increase the risk of instability.

Source: Qatar News Agency (QNA), August 31, 2026