Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s visit to Al Aqsa Mosque compound

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday condemned the visit of Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound.

“The Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the storming of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli Minister of National Security and the forced expulsion of worshippers. It reiterates its condemnation of the continued blatant Israeli attacks on the sanctity of Al Aqsa Mosque,” Saudi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Kingdom also expressed its condemnation of the Israeli forces’ targeting of a clinic affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Jabalia camp, north of the Gaza Strip, denouncing the continued targeting of UN and relief organisations and their workers by the Israeli forces.

“The Kingdom condemns these ongoing Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law, and affirms its categorical rejection of anything that would undermine the historical and legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites,” the ministry said in the statement.

“It also stresses the need to protect UN and relief organisations and their workers, calling on the international community to put an end to the Israeli hostilities which does not follow international laws or norms, and to hold the Israeli authorities accountable for all their violations.

“It reiterates its warning that the international community’s failure to deter such serious and ongoing violations will diminish the chances of achieving the desired peace, contribute to the decline in the credibility and legitimacy of the rules of international law, and negatively impact regional and international security and stability,” the statement added.