Saudi Arabia condemns the far-right Israeli minister’s intrusion into Al-Aqsa Mosque

RIYADH, April 4, 2025: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its strong condemnation of "the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli national security minister under the protection of occupation police."

The ministry reiterated its denunciation of attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

It also condemned Israeli forces for targeting an UNRWA clinic in Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza and criticized attacks on UN and relief organizations and their staff.

The ministry stated: “The Kingdom condemns these ongoing Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law and affirms its categorical rejection of any actions that would undermine the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites.”

It further highlighted that Israeli violations hinder peace efforts and threaten global security.

The ministry stressed the importance of protecting UN and relief organizations and their personnel, calling for accountability for Israeli authorities regarding all violations.

Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem’s Old City on Wednesday prompted strong condemnation from Jordan and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

After rejoining the Israeli government last month following the resumption of the war in Gaza, Ben-Gvir, leader of the anti-Arab Otzma Yehudit party, visited the site. He had previously resigned from the cabinet in January in protest at the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Since the formation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in late 2022, Ben-Gvir has made several trips to the Al-Aqsa compound, each triggering international outcry.

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also condemned Wednesday's visit, calling it a "storming" and "an unacceptable provocation."

Hamas referred to the visit as a "provocative and dangerous escalation" and said it was "part of the ongoing genocide against our Palestinian people." The group urged Palestinians in the West Bank to escalate their confrontations "in defense of our land and our sanctities, foremost among them the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque."

Al-Aqsa is Islam's third-holiest site and a symbol of Palestinian national identity. It is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest place, being the site of the second temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

Under the status quo maintained by Israel, which has occupied east Jerusalem and the Old City since 1967, Jews and other non-Muslims can visit the compound during specific hours but are not allowed to pray there or display religious symbols.

Ben-Gvir's spokesperson stated that the minister visited because the site had been reopened to non-Muslims after 13 days, during which access was restricted to Muslims for the Eid Al-Fitr festival and the end of Ramadan.

In recent years, there has been a rise in Jewish ultranationalists defying the rules, including Ben-Gvir, who publicly prayed at the site in 2023 and 2024.

The Israeli government has repeatedly stated that it intends to maintain the status quo at the compound, but Palestinian concerns about its future continue to make it a flashpoint for violence.

Additional reporting from AFP