Several Arab countries expressed their strong condemnation on Tuesday of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's intrusion into Al-Aqsa Mosque, as the occupation authorities continue to keep the mosque closed to worshippers for more than a month.
These condemnations came in official statements from Qatar, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, the Arab League, and Turkey, as well as from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), following the announcement by the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem on Monday regarding Ben Gvir's entry into Al-Aqsa through the Mughrabi Gate and his roaming within its courtyards.
Details of the Incident
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Ben Gvir's intrusion into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Tuesday, emphasizing the necessity of reopening both the mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to worshippers. The ministry pointed out that Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of pure worship for Muslims, and any unilateral Israeli actions constitute an "assault on this historical and legal right."
The ministry confirmed that the intrusion is part of a "systematic Israeli policy" aimed at imposing a reality by force and undermining the existing situation in the city, particularly concerning Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, including attempts to impose temporal and spatial division.
For its part, Hamas considered Ben Gvir's intrusion into Al-Aqsa Mosque as reflecting the occupation's insistence on imposing a reality of Judaization and complete control over the mosque. Hamas leader Abdul Rahman Shadid stated that "the extremist minister's intrusion into Al-Aqsa, while it remains closed to Muslims for over a month, represents a continuation of the occupation's arrogance and an intentional assault on the sanctity of the mosque."
Background & Context
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Ben Gvir's intrusion on Monday evening, deeming it a "flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims worldwide." The ministry firmly rejected any attempts to undermine the existing religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling on the international community to take urgent action against repeated Israeli violations.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its strong condemnation on Tuesday regarding Ben Gvir's actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing this step as a "dangerous escalation and an unacceptable provocation," asserting that it represents a "clear violation" of international law.
Similarly, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Ben Gvir's intrusion on Tuesday, labeling it a "blatant violation of international law," reiterating its rejection of Israel's continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque's doors to worshippers and restrictions on freedom of worship.
Impact & Consequences
Ben Gvir's intrusion into Al-Aqsa Mosque, marking the fifteenth time since he assumed office in 2023, occurs at a sensitive time as tensions in the region escalate. The statement from the Arab League's General Secretariat warned of the repercussions of these policies on regional stability, asserting the nullity of all Israeli actions in East Jerusalem.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Ben Gvir's intrusion, emphasizing that the violations by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government target the historical and legal identity of Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a sacred place designated solely for Muslims.
Regional Significance
On the ground, Israeli army forces invaded the city of Tubas in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, amid heightened tensions among the residents. These incursions are part of escalating military operations since the beginning of this year, further intensifying tensions in the region.
These events continue amid ongoing escalation since the outbreak of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, where Israel has intensified its assaults in the West Bank, including killings, arrests, and displacement.
In conclusion, the situation in occupied Jerusalem remains a focal point of significant concern, as fears grow over the continuation of Israeli violations and their impact on security and stability in the region.