Ramallah: With strong words, Saudi Arabia condemned the visit of Israel’s firebrand far-right national security minister to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, calling his visit a provocative action.
Other Arab states and Islamic organizations rallied behind Saudi Arabia in protest against the visit of minister Itamar Ben-Gvir with heavy security who see it as an act of flagrant violation of the sanctity of the location.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation called Israeli Minister’s presence in one of the three holiest sites of Muslims in the world a deliberate move to change the historical and legal status of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. The US, meanwhile, warned that any provocative move could destabilise the status quo.
IOC in a statement also said that the visit was “a provocation to the feelings of all Muslims and a flagrant violation of relevant international resolutions.”
Extremist minister Ben-Gvir’s Al-Aqsa visit enraged the Palestinians, who also warned of repercussions.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said Israel is trying to convert the mosque complex into a Jewish temple and urged Palestinians to “confront the raids into Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
The Foreign Ministry of Egypt, in a statement, warned of "the negative consequences of such actions on security and stability”. The UAE condemned Ben-Gvir's “storming” of Al-Aqsa, while Kuwait issued a similar statement.
The White House called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express its concern over his cabinet minister’s visit to the holy site, reminding the US firm stand on the preservation of the status quo with respect to the holy sites in Jerusalem.