Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem today, Tuesday.
Videos on social media showed “settlers performing Talmudic rituals and prayers in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa, on the occasion of what is known as the ‘anniversary of the destruction of the temple.’”
Scenes showed groups of extremists singing religious songs on their way into the Al-Aqsa courtyards, under the protection of Israeli forces, while some of them raised the Israeli flag and chanted the Israeli national anthem.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said, “Ben Gvir’s election campaign at Al-Aqsa Mosque, in complete opposition to the position of the security forces during the war, puts Israel at risk.”
He added: “The group of irresponsible extremists in the government are trying hard to drag Israel into a comprehensive regional war. These people cannot run the country.”
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stressed from inside Al-Aqsa Mosque that his “policy is to allow Jews to pray at the site.”
The Palestinian presidency condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and held the occupation responsible for the dangerous provocations in the mosque.
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned “the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by two extremist ministers from the Israeli government and members of the Knesset today under the protection of the Israeli police.”
She added that this comes “in conjunction with the incursions of Israeli extremists and their provocative practices and imposition of restrictions on the entry of worshipers to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, in a blatant violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites.”
She added that this “reflects the insistence of the Israeli government and its extremist members to disregard international laws and Israel’s obligations as the occupying power.”
In turn, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by two Israeli ministers, members of the Israeli Knesset, and hundreds of Israeli settlers and extremists, and the raising of the Israeli flag inside it, under the protection of the Israeli police, and in conjunction with the prevention of Palestinian worshipers from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Egypt stressed that “these irresponsible and provocative actions constitute a violation of international law and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, and their continued repetition and frequency reflect a systematic policy being implemented on the ground, which calls for working to stop their manifestations immediately and committing to preserving the existing legal status.”
Egypt stressed the need for the international community to play an active role in confronting these violations that aim to inflame emotions and thwart efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing Egypt’s commitment to seeking a just, permanent and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.
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2024-08-16 05:47:34