Egyptian FM: Ben-Gvir's storming of Al-Aqsa provocative, unacceptable
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The Egyptian Foreign Ministry condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and warned against the extremist actions of Itamar Ben Gvir.
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Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied al-Quds on December 26, 2024. (X)
Egypt condemned the storming of Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir into the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing these practices as "provocative".
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed in a statement that it condemns "in the strongest terms the storming of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, under the protection of the Israeli occupation police," calling it a provocative step.
According to the statement, "Egypt warns against these extremist actions that constitute a flagrant and reprehensible violation of the historical and legal status quo in the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, and what these unacceptable practices represent in terms of disdain and incitement of the feelings of Muslims around the world."
The statement called on "Israel" to abide by its obligations as an occupying state, stressing the need to "respect the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque as a place of worship exclusively for Muslims."
The ministry stated that Egypt stresses the need for decisive measures against such violations by the UN Security Council, calling the provocations "a practical rejection of opportunities for peaceful coexistence," and urging the necessity of reaching a "just, permanent, and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with al-Quds as its capital, and in a way that achieves the right of self-determination for the Palestinian people."
In a provocative move, Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir storms Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Thursday, the first day of the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, prompting strong condemnations from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan, who accused the minister of intentionally provoking tensions.
"I went up to the site of our temple this morning to pray for the peace of our soldiers, the swift return of all hostages and a total victory, God willing," Ben-Gvir wrote on X, referring to the war on the Gaza Strip and the dozens of Israeli captives held in the Palestinian territory.
He also posted a photo of himself inside the holy site under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces.
The Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry condemned Ben-Gvir's latest storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, deeming his prayer at the site a "provocation to millions of Palestinians and Muslims."
Jordan, which administers the Mosque's compound, similarly condemned the Israeli minister's "provocative and unacceptable" actions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later stated that "the status quo on the Temple Mount has not changed," referring to the compound's Jewish name.
Under the arrangement upheld by "Israel", which has occupied East al-Quds and its Old City since 1967, Jews and other non-Muslims are permitted to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during designated hours. However, they are prohibited from praying there or displaying religious symbols.
Additionally, groups of settlers, led by Ben-Gvir, stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque and conducted provocative rituals around the Buraq Wall, all while a heavy deployment of occupation forces surrounded the Old City.
