Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic bodies condemn Israeli minister's ‘provocative' storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia and several Arab and Islamic organizations have condemned in the strongest terms the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem on Sunday by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, accompanied by more than 1,200 settlers, calling it a 'provocative' act and a blatant violation of the historical and legal status quo of the holy site.
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that such repeated violations by Israeli officials would inflame tensions in the region.
The Kingdom renewed its call on the international community to take immediate action to halt these practices, which it said undermine peace efforts and contravene international laws and norms.
Jordan's Foreign Ministry also condemned the incident, describing it as a 'serious violation' of the status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque and a clear breach of international law.
The ministry reaffirmed that the 144-dunum mosque is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims and that Israel has no sovereignty over it.The Palestinian presidency denounced Ben-Gvir's actions as 'provocative' and reflective of the Israeli government's extremist nature, urging the international community — particularly the United States — to hold Israel accountable for repeated violations of international conventions.According to the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, 1,251 settlers led by Ben-Gvir entered the mosque compound Sunday morning under heavy police protection, performing Talmudic rituals in what it described as part of a 'systematic assault' on the sanctity of the mosque.The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued separate statements condemning the storming, calling it a 'serious provocation to Muslim sentiments' and a violation of the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. Both organizations warned that such actions risk triggering wider unrest and undermining all efforts toward calm and stability.Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in East Jerusalem, is recognized under international law as part of the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967 and is subject to Jordanian custodianship under recognized international agreements.
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