Israeli minister storms Al-Aqsa Mosque compound; Saudi Arabia, Qatar condemn

According to the Jerusalem Governorate, about 100 Israeli settlers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under the protection of Israeli forces and performed religious rituals.

The incident took place a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several ministers and thousands of Israeli settlers entered the Western Wall plaza in East Jerusalem under heavy security.

The intrusion also came as the Jewish festival of Yom Kippur, which began on Sunday evening, continues until this evening.

In its statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the move was a flagrant violation and a sheer provocation for Muslims across the world.

The statement added that Saudi Arabia once again categorically rejected the provocative acts, incitement and illegal, extremist and violent actions by the Israeli occupation authorities against Palestinians and holy sites in occupied Palestine.

Saudi Arabia urged the international community to fulfil its responsibility to stop all such attacks, which violate international law and human rights.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, too, said in its statement that the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by the extremist Israeli minister and settlers was condemnable, a flagrant violation of international law and an unacceptable provocation to the feelings of billions of Muslims around the world.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said Al-Aqsa Mosque is purely a place of worship for Muslims. It said any unilateral steps to change the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites are illegal under international law.

The statement warned: “Such continued violations and provocations risk inciting further violence and tension in the region and damage the prospects for peace and stability.”