Worldwide condemnation over far-right Israeli minister's storming of Al-Aqsa mosque

The international community has condemned Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir barging into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem, calling it a provocative act that risks destabilizing the region further.

Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound challenged the longstanding rules governing Islam's third holiest site. As a far-right minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, Ben-Gvir led over 2,000 Israelis into the compound on Tuesday to observe a Jewish holiday, singing Jewish hymns under the protection of Israeli police, according to an official from the Waqf, the Jordanian body that is custodian of the site.

The Israeli minister’s remarks, advocating for Jewish prayer at the site, sparked widespread outrage.

On Tuesday, the United Nations and several countries criticized the minster's actions, expressing deep concern over their potential impact on peace and stability in the Middle East.

"We are against any efforts to change the status quo within the holy sites," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary-General. "Al-Aqsa mosque, like the other holy sites in Jerusalem, should be left to themselves and should be controlled by the existing religious authorities. This behavior is unhelpful and unduly provocative.”

Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry slammed the “blatant and repeated incursions” by Israeli officials and citizens. In a statement, the ministry stressed the importance of respecting religious sanctities, and renewed the Kingdom’s warning against the continuation of these violations of international law and the historical status of Jerusalem.

It also warned against provoking millions of Muslims around the world, and renewed its call for the international community to assume its responsibility toward stopping ongoing Israeli violations of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions in Gaza.

Qatar condemned “in the strongest terms” the visit to Al Aqsa mosque compound by the Israeli minister

While Egypt emphasized that these “irresponsible and provocative actions” violate international law and Jerusalem’s historical and legal status.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the visit, warning that such actions exacerbate tensions at a critical moment. "These provocative actions only exacerbate tensions at a pivotal moment when all focus should be on ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire agreement, secure the release of all hostages, and create conditions for broader regional stability," Blinken said.

These provocative actions only exacerbate tensions

France echoed these concerns, describing the visit as a violation of the historic status quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites. "This new provocation is unacceptable. France calls on the Israeli government to take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the historic status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem," the French foreign ministry stated.

Also, the EU condemned what it described as "provocations" by Ben Gvir. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly denied any intentions to alter the existing rules that prohibit Jewish prayer at the site. Netanyahu’s office strongly rebuked Ben-Gvir, stating, "There is no private policy of any minister on the Temple Mount—neither the Minister of National Security nor any other minister."

This incident marks the second time in a week that Netanyahu has publicly clashed with a senior minister, following his reprimand of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the aims of the Gaza war. Ben-Gvir’s visit, coinciding with the Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of the ancient temples, has further intensified tensions in a region already on edge.