Ankara condemned Wednesday the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, calling the move provocative through Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu

"We find the provocative action of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir against the Al-Aqsa mosque unacceptable," Cavusoglu told his Israeli counterpart in a telephone call, according to the former's office.

Earlier on Monday, Ben-Gvir stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque protected by a large number of Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).

Read more: Palestinian Resistance: Itamar Ben-Gvir pours fuel on fire

'A government of settlers, by settlers, against the #Palestinian people, shall not perish from the earth' Itamar 'Lincoln' Ben Gvir, Jerusalem 2023. pic.twitter.com/rwBa4ezU1L

— Itay Epshtain (@EpshtainItay) January 3, 2023

According to the Israeli Walla! news outlet, Netanyahu did not try to stop Ben-Gvir from storming Al-Aqsa hours after they discussed the issue, despite international warnings that the outcome of the provocation is unpredictable.

Relations between "Tel Aviv" and Istanbul deteriorated sharply in 2010 after the Israeli occupation captured the Mavi Marmara ship sailing out of Turkey to the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Ankara invited the Israeli Ambassador to Turkey to leave the country in May 2018.

Read more: Erdogan talks to Netanyahu about 'new era' in Turkey-'Israel' ties

Last August, less than two weeks after the Israeli occupation launched a brutal aggression on Gaza which left at least 49 martyrs, including 16 children, Turkey restored full diplomatic ties with “Tel Aviv”.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the credentials of the newly appointed Israeli occupation ambassador to Ankara Irit Lillian last December.  

According to the office of Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Cavusoglu presented Ankara's "concerns". 

"Mr. Cohen said Israel is committed to maintaining the status quo of the site, that this visit does not constitute a change of policy, and that freedom of worship for all religions in Jerusalem will be preserved," his office claimed.