Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Minister’s Comments on Building Synagogue at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Saudi Arabia has on Tuesday condemned an Israeli minister’s remarks on building a synagogue at Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to a statement released by the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry.
In the statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the Kingdom’s “categorial rejection of these extremist and inflammatory comments.” Furthermore, Saudi Arabia rejected the “ongoing provocations of Muslims around the world.”
The Kingdom also reiterated the need to respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque. It renewed its call on the international community to “assume its responsibilities and put an end to the humanitarian catastrophe suffered by the Palestinian people.”
Saudi Arabia also called the international community to “activate serious mechanisms to hold Israeli officials accountable for the ongoing violations of international laws, norms and resolutions,” according to the statement.
On Monday, the Israeli hardline Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, repeated a call for Jews to be allowed to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, reported Reuters. His comments have sparked sharp criticism for fueling tensions as negotiations are ongoing to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Speaking to an Army Radio interviewer, Ben-Gvir said: “The policy at the Temple Mount allows praying there. Period.” When asked if he would build a synagogue on the site if he could, he replied: “Yes, yes.”
In response, the office of Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, issued a statement saying that “there is no change to the status quo on the Temple Mount.” Al-Aqsa Mosque, known as Temple Mount to Jews, is a holy site for both Muslims and Jews and one of the most sensitive locations in the Middle East. The decades-long arrangement with Muslim authorities restricts non-Muslim prayer at the Mosque’s compound.
Two weeks ago, over 2,000 Israeli settlers, including Ben-Gvir, stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under heavy protection from Israeli troops.
