Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s entry into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound alongside a group of settlers, describing the move as a “blatant violation” and a “provocation to Muslims worldwide”.
In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said it “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms” the entry into Al-Aqsa’s courtyards by an Israeli government official and a group it described as extremist settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.
The ministry said the incident constituted both a violation of the holy site and a provocation to Muslims around the world.
Riyadh also rejected what it described as provocative practices, incitement and violence by Israeli officials against Palestinians and Islamic and Christian holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Saudi Arabia called on the international community to assume its responsibilities and act to halt such incidents, which the ministry said violated international law and international humanitarian law.
According to Palestinian media, Ben-Gvir toured the compound’s courtyards on Sunday under heavy security. The visit coincided with Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
It was reportedly Ben-Gvir’s second visit to the compound in recent weeks in which he appeared to perform Talmudic prayers in its eastern section.