Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Saturday, Jul 05, 2025

Saudi Arabia, Arab nations condemn Israeli security minister’s Al-Aqsa visit

Saudi Arabia, Arab nations condemn Israeli security minister’s Al-Aqsa visit

Israel’s ultra right-wing national security minister has been condemned as “provocative” and “dangerous” after visiting Al-Aqsa mosque in occupied Jerusalem on Sunday.
The visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir — his second since becoming a member of Israel’s government — was denounced as a flagrant challenge to the feelings of Muslims and Palestinians and Islamic and Arab sovereignty over the Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

Key institutions and Palestinian, Islamic and Arab officials denounced the move, as well as the holding of an Israeli Cabinet meeting inside the tunnel beneath the Western Wall.

Ben-Gvir entered the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque and performed his prayers in the eastern region and the Bab Al-Rahma area for 30 minutes on Sunday, accompanied by the head of the “Temple Mount” organization manager.

The minister stated: “Hamas threats will not prevent us from being here. We are the owners of the house on the Temple Mount, and this belongs to us, and no one else, and it is important for everyone.”

The Israeli Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, held its weekly session at the Western Wall.

Netanyahu said: “Our meeting here today is a message to Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas), who said at the United Nations that the Jewish people have no connection with Jerusalem and that the east of the city is part of the areas of the (Palestinian) Authority ... 3,000 years ago.

“Jerusalem was our capital before London and Washington (existed).”

The Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Bin-Gvir’s visit as a flagrant violation of all international norms and covenants and a provocation to the feelings of Muslims around the world.

It held the Israeli forces fully responsible for the repercussions of the continuation of such abuses.

Jordan criticized Ben-Gvir’s actions as “provocative” and a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation” that represented “a flagrant and unacceptable violation of international law, and of the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites.”

The Islamic Waqf echoed both government’s comments, adding that it was delusional to think such action would achieve his dreams and goals of Judaizing Al-Aqsa Mosque.

It said that the Cabinet meeting was equally a clear and systematic provocation against the city's Arab-Islamic history and heritage, he said.

The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories, the preacher of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Mohammed Hussein, told Arab News that the incursions by ministers and Knesset members would not change the landmark’s existing legal, religious and historical status as an Islamic mosque for Muslims alone.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, official spokesman for the PA presidency, said the minister’s tour was a dangerous act, and called on the US, to take immediate action to restrain Israel.

The Israeli government has allocated a budget of $1 million to encourage entry into Al-Aqsa Mosque by extremists and $4.6 million to support excavations underneath and for the maintenance of existing tunnels.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said that the Israeli government’s weekly meeting was an escalation of the state’s religious war.

The Israeli army meanwhile has decided to officially allow settlers to return to the "Homesh" settlement in the northern West Bank, which the army evacuated in 2005.

On March 21, Israeli Knesset approved the Separation Law, allowing settlers to return to four settlements in the West Bank that were evacuated in 2005, reinforcing the legitimacy of random outposts in the northern West Bank.

Also on Sunday, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds in the Al-Hamma area in the northern Jordan Valley while grazing their livestock by spraying them with pepper gas.

The mayor of Sebastia, Mohammed Azem, said that the Israeli authorities intend to implement the largest Judaization project for the archaeological site in the historic town of Sebastia, located north of the city of Nablus in the West Bank, at a value of $10 million.

“The occupation will eliminate the tourism sector in the town, and it will be limited to settlement tourism,” said the mayor. “It will also affect the economic situation because dozens of families in Sebastia live on tourism.”

Sebastia was the capital of the Romans in Palestine.

It is distinguished by its geographical location, which connects three governorates in the northern West Bank: Nablus, Tulkarem, and Jenin.

It is also on the Christian pilgrimage route from Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jacob's Well, and Nazareth.

The town is full of dozens of archaeological sites, including the Roman cemetery, the tomb of the Prophet Yahya and his mosque, the Cathedral of John the Baptist, the Al-Kayed Palace, as well as the Basilica Square, the Royal Palace, the Hellenistic Tower, the Temple of Augustus, the theater, Column Street and the stadium.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
×