Attaf Affirms Jerusalem Status as International Justice Issue

State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, recently affirmed Algeria's principled stance on Jerusalem at a joint ministerial meeting of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Held at the United Nations headquarters in New York during the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly session, Minister Attaf emphasized that the status of Jerusalem is fundamentally a matter of international justice and legitimacy, rather than merely an item within a political process.

During his intervention, Mr. Attaf underscored that any unilateral measures designed to alter Jerusalem's character, status, or demographic composition would neither establish a right nor confer legitimacy. He reiterated Algeria's unwavering commitment to upholding the established historical and legal status of both Muslim and Christian holy sites, particularly highlighting Al-Aqsa Mosque in its entirety. Algeria officially considers Al-Quds Al-Sharif the capital of the independent Palestinian state.

Minister Attaf further called for intensified and coordinated Arab and Islamic efforts within the United Nations and other international forums. These efforts, he stated, are crucial for defending Jerusalem's legal status, countering attempts to impose a new reality on the ground, and enhancing the legal and political protection of its inhabitants. He concluded by asserting that safeguarding Jerusalem, preserving its holy sites, and maintaining its identity remains a collective responsibility, necessitating the rejection of occupation and refusal to normalize its violations.