Iran denounces Israeli minister raiding Al-Aqsa mosque
Iran voices its criticism for the Israeli occupation over the police minister's incursion into Al-Aqsa mosque.
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A Palestinian man, right, holds the Quran as Ultra-Orthodox Israeli settlers storm the Old City of occupied Al-Quds, occupied Palestine July 27, 2023 (AP)
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has strongly denounced the presence of an Israeli cabinet minister at the revered Al-Aqsa Mosque in Al-Quds.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, has sparked outrage in Iran, with Kanaani condemning it as a blatant violation of Islamic sanctities and a disregard for the sentiments of Muslims.
The news, reported by IRNA, said Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led a group of Israeli settlers in a controversial incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque. The visit coincided with heightened tensions and exacerbated the situation as Palestinian worshipers were prevented from entering the mosque.
Sources from the region indicated that approximately 1,800 Israeli settlers participated in the contentious visit.
Al-Aqsa Mosque holds immense religious and cultural significance for Muslims and Palestinians.
The presence of Israeli officials, especially at this sacred location, has historically caused tensions, though this has not deterred the occupation from still allowing for such incursions.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported today, Thursday, that more than a thousand illegal Israeli settlers, spearheaded by Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque as part of commemorating the so-called "destruction of the Temple."
Our correspondent pointed out that "the settlers are performing Talmudic rituals at Bab Al-Asbat in Al-Aqsa Mosque [compound]."
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— Ahmed Shameya (@Ahmedwsh95) July 27, 2023
Israeli Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under the leadership of the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, in memory of the so-called "Destruction of the Temple" under Israeli forces protection. pic.twitter.com/MeScqiCfzW
On Friday evening, dozens of illegal settlers, accompanied by Ben-Gvir, began storming the Old City of occupied Al-Quds to take part in the provocative Israeli "Flag March".
In Al-Ghazali Square, adjacent to Al-Asbat Gate, the settlers held "Talmudic rituals" amid heavy deployment of Israeli occupation forces in the area, which saw the restriction of the movement of Palestinians.
Israeli occupation forces deployed heavily inside the Old City since the early hours of dawn to secure the settlers' incursions and closed the perimeter of Bab Al-Amoud in occupied Al-Quds, where hundreds of settlers, mainly armed, arrived while yelling racist chants.
In the meantime, a group of men and women already stationed in Al-Aqsa gathered inside the Mosque, reciting takbeers, as part of their attempts to confront the settlers' incursions and racism.
