JEDDAH: Arab foreign ministers on Saturday condemned Israeli atrocities in the West Bank and Jerusalem that they said were undermining efforts to achieve a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

A statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministers also bewailed that 鈥渋llegal Israeli practices鈥� were 鈥渦ndermining chances of achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, which embodies the independent and sovereign Palestinian state with its capital.鈥�

Palestinian and international human rights organizations have previously denounced the increasingly aggressive Israeli settler land-grabs in Palestinian territories in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

The statement came at the conclusion of a consultative meeting of foreign ministers from GCC members states along with Jordan, Egypt and Iraq.

The informal consultation session was held in Jeddah during a Suhoor dinner hosted by Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

The ministers took issue with the repeated Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and Al-Haram Al-Sharif and 鈥渧iolation of the sanctity of the holy places,鈥� especially at a time when Muslims gathered for prayers during Ramadan.

They reminded Israel of 鈥渢he need to respect the historical and legal situation existing therein,鈥�  noting that it is Jordan鈥檚 Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs that is 鈥渆mpowered with exclusive jurisdiction to manage the affairs of the mosque and regulate access to it.鈥�