Malaysia strongly condemned the latest storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by illegal Israeli settlers, including the raising of an Israeli flag inside the mosque compound on May 31, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Foreign Ministry described any effort to Judaize Al-Aqsa Mosque as abhorrent and a desecration of the holy site, emphasizing that "such actions are provocative and unacceptable, disregarding the custodial role over Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem," and called on the international community not to remain silent while hostility takes place in plain sight [1, 2, 3, 4].
The Malaysia Foreign Ministry accused the Israeli regime of backing these settler activities, aimed at changing the cultural, historical, and religious character of Al-Aqsa Mosque [1, 2, 3, 4]. On May 31, Israeli occupiers stormed the mosque under police protection, raised Israeli flags inside its courtyards, and performed provocative rituals, as documented by multiple sources [4, 5]. Since 2003, Israeli police have permitted Israeli settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque daily during morning and afternoon prayers except on Fridays and Saturdays, deepening Palestinian concerns of intensified efforts to Judaize East Jerusalem [4, 5]. Palestinians regard East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa, as the capital of their future state based on international resolutions rejecting Israel's occupation and annexation [4, 5].
Malaysia reaffirmed its solidarity with the Palestinian people and backed establishing an independent, sovereign State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital [1, 2, 3, 4]. The country urged the United Nations and the international community to take immediate, concrete action to stop further violations and ensure accountability [1, 2, 3, 4].
The Maldives also condemned the storming by Israeli extremist occupiers, calling it a blatant violation of international law and a deliberate provocation aimed at undermining Al-Aqsa Mosque’s sanctity and legal status. The Maldives ministry stated, "Such actions, along with restrictions on worshippers’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute a blatant violation of international law and represent a deliberate provocation aimed at undermining the sanctity, legal status, and deeply rooted historical and religious significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque" [5]. The Maldives urged the international community to hold Israel accountable and support protection of Palestinian rights and Islamic religious sites [5].
The storming event on May 31 continues a pattern of rising tensions and restrictions surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque and East Jerusalem. Malaysia’s call for urgent international action underscores growing concerns about the status of the site and rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
