Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli officials storming courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the provocative actions of an Israeli official who stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The ministry expressed Saudi Arabia’s regret for the Israeli occupation authorities’ practices. “Which undermine international peace efforts and contradicts international principles and norms pertaining to religious sanctities.
Moreover, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s firm position of standing by the brotherly Palestinian people. It stressed support for all efforts aimed at ending the occupation and reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
This will allow the Palestinian people to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque, its courtyard, and the Dome of the Rock cover 14 hectares in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, which Israel occupied and annexed in 1967. The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital.
Many confrontations
Israel confirms that it does not wish to change the status quo that has existed since the 1967 war. Implicit rules allow Muslims to visit the Temple Mount whenever they want. Accordingly, Jews are only permitted to enter its courtyards at specific times and without the ability to pray there.
However, groups of Jewish ultra-nationalists break these rules by praying in secret after entering Al-Aqsa Mosque as regular visitors.
This frequently causes conflict with Muslim worshippers, who are concerned about Israel’s attempt to change the rules of entry. Jordan oversees the holy site in collaboration with Palestinian authorities.
In September, dozens of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque for the second day in a row. This took place on the second day of the Jewish New Year holiday.
The Islamic Endowment Authority in Jerusalem reported that dozens of settlers stormed the mosque, and performed Talmudic rituals under the strict protection of the occupation police.
The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) reported that the Israeli forces launched a drone over Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with the settlers’ incursions.
