Saudi Arabia and Qatar condemn Israeli minister's entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have issued strong condemnations following an incident where Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and a group of settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the action as a “clear violation” and a provocation to Muslims worldwide. The ministry rejected extremist actions and violence against Palestinians and holy sites, urging the international community to intervene to uphold international law and human rights.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed these sentiments, calling the incident an unacceptable provocation for billions of Muslims. Qatar emphasized that Al-Aqsa is an exclusively Muslim place of worship and warned that unilateral attempts to change the historical or legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites are illegal under international law. The ministry further cautioned that such continuous provocations risk fueling further violence and instability in the region.