In its statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that continued violations and provocations would fuel further escalation in the region.
Qatar has condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque complex by Israel’s extremist National Security Minister Ben Gvir on Thursday, along with “provocative actions and violations committed by settlers under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, including restrictions on worshipers’ access to the mosque.”
This is the second consecutive day that an Israeli minister stormed the mosque.
In a statement on Friday, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the incident as a “blatant violation” of international law and a dangerous attempt to impose a new reality in occupied Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the incident as a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and an unacceptable provocation to the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world,” said the statement.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister, stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday as thousands of Jewish nationalists marched through the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem.
He raised an Israeli flag inside the compound and posed for photographs alongside Israeli police officers.
“The quietest Ramadan, it’s thanks to deterrence, the Temple Mount is in our hands. The people of Israel are alive…!” chanted Ben-Gvir.
Israeli forces imposed restrictions on non‑resident Palestinians entering the Old City, barricaded the areas around Herod’s Gate and Damascus Gate, and shopkeepers were ordered to close ahead of the march.
On Tuesday, Ben‑Gvir had entered the site accompanied by Israeli settlers under heavy police protection. During that visit, he performed Jewish prayers at the compound — which are not permitted for non‑Muslims under the status quo arrangement in place since 1967, although Jewish visits are allowed.
Ben-Gvir, who has stormed the mosque compound at least 16 times since taking office in 2022, is part of a growing settler movement that wants to take over the Al-Aqsa Mosque. He has previously expressed support for building a Jewish synagogue in place of the Muslim holy site.
In its statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that continued violations and provocations would fuel further escalation in the region.
It also called on the international community to press Israel to end its violations against the Palestinian people and their holy sites. Qatar also reiterated its support for the Palestinian cause and for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.