Saudi Arabia Slams Ben-Gvir's Provocative Visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque
Saudi Arabia strongly denounced Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Wednesday. The Kingdom condemned the continued Israeli attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Ben-Gvir visited the site, sacred to both Jews and Muslims, in occupied East Jerusalem. This visit followed his return to the Israeli government last month. Notably, Ben-Gvir resigned from the cabinet in January. He protested the ceasefire agreement in the Palestinian territory.
#بيان | تعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة المملكة العربية السعودية بأشد العبارات اقتحام وزير الأمن القومي الإسرائيلي للمسجد الأقصى المبارك بحماية من شرطة الإحتلال، وإخراج المصلين منه، مجددةً استنكارها لاستمرار الاعتداءات الإسرائيلية السافرة على حرمة المسجد الأقصى. pic.twitter.com/3Gpxv3RoDP
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) April 2, 2025 Saudi Arabia's Stance on Israeli Aggression
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned an Israeli attack on a UN building in Jabalia refugee camp. This attack reportedly killed 19 people, including nine children. The Kingdom criticized these ongoing Israeli violations of international law. Saudi Arabia called upon the international community to halt the Israeli war machine.
The Al-Aqsa compound is Islam's third-holiest site and a symbol of Palestinian national identity. Known to Jews as the Temple Mount, it is Judaism's holiest place. It is revered as the site of the second temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.
Under the status quo maintained by Israel since 1967, non-Muslims can visit the compound during specified hours. However, they are not permitted to pray there or display religious symbols. Despite this, growing numbers of Jewish ultranationalists, including Ben-Gvir, have defied these rules. Ben-Gvir publicly prayed there in 2023 and 2024, triggering international outcry.
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