Riyadh, December 30, 2024 — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a strong condemnation in response to the recent storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers, carried out under the protection of Israeli police and occupation forces. In a formal statement, the Ministry condemned this act of aggression, which marks yet another escalation in the systematic violations of international law and the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.
The Ministry’s statement emphasized Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to protecting the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its sacred sites, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque, which holds profound religious and spiritual significance for Muslims around the world. Saudi Arabia categorically rejected any actions or measures that aim to undermine the integrity and status of Jerusalem, a city that has long been at the heart of the Palestinian struggle for sovereignty and dignity.
The Ministry also expressed its deep concern over the repeated and brutal attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, and on innocent Palestinian civilians who continue to suffer under the weight of occupation. This assault is part of a broader pattern of provocations and escalating violence that has caused immense harm to both the physical and spiritual well-being of the Palestinian people.
In addition to expressing its condemnation, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to hold the Israeli occupation authorities accountable for their continuous and grave violations. Saudi Arabia reiterated the importance of holding Israel to account for its ongoing attacks on Islamic holy places, the displacement of Palestinian families, and the widespread human rights violations against the Palestinian people.
The Kingdom has long been a staunch advocate for the rights of Palestinians and has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the principles of justice and international law. Saudi Arabia remains committed to supporting the Palestinian cause in all forums, both regionally and internationally, and continues to advocate for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also underscored that the continued violation of the rights of the Palestinian people, particularly with regard to holy sites, will only further escalate tensions in the region and perpetuate a cycle of violence. The Kingdom reiterated the necessity of international intervention to end the occupation, ensure the protection of religious freedoms, and uphold the principles of human dignity and human rights for all peoples, irrespective of their faith.
As Saudi Arabia continues to champion the Palestinian cause on the global stage, the Ministry’s statement serves as a reminder of the Kingdom’s unwavering stance against any actions that seek to disrupt the historical and religious status of Jerusalem, and its commitment to supporting Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination. The Kingdom called on all members of the international community to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, hold Israel accountable, and work towards a just and lasting peace in the region based on the principles of justice, equality, and respect for international law.