Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem under police protection drew condemnation from Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. During the visit, a group of Jews also entered the compound under Israeli police escort.
The foreign ministries of the four countries described the entries as violations of Jerusalem’s historic and legal status quo and assessed them in terms of international law and international humanitarian law.
Jordan calls for preservation of the status quo
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry described Ben-Gvir’s visit as a “blatant violation” of the existing historic and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and as “disrespect” toward the holy site. The ministry categorically rejected visits by Israeli ministers and officials alongside Jewish groups, as well as the facilitation of these entries by Israeli police.
The ministry said the practices clearly violated international law and international humanitarian law, warning against the creation of new realities at Al-Aqsa and the temporal or spatial division of the place of worship.
Jordan also argued that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem or the Muslim and Christian holy sites in the city. It called on the international community to increase pressure on Israel and halt the violations.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry reiterated that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is a Muslim place of worship. It said the sole legal authority responsible for administering the compound and regulating access to it is the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf, which operates under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places.
Kuwait and Qatar call for action against violations
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry described Ben-Gvir’s visit with a group of Jews under police protection as a “blatant violation” of international law and international humanitarian law. The ministry called the act provocative and urged international action to end the violations.
Kuwait reiterated its support for the rights of the Palestinian people and said it also supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry described the visit as a “blatant violation” and an unacceptable provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide. The ministry said unilateral measures targeting the historic and legal status quo in Jerusalem and at the holy sites were invalid under international law.
Qatar warned that continued provocations could trigger further violence and weaken regional stability.
Saudi Arabia condemns the visit
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the visit in the strongest terms and described the act as a provocation against Muslims. The ministry rejected the provocative and unlawful practices of Israeli officials.
The Saudi government called on the international community to fulfill its responsibility to halt violations of international law and international humanitarian law.
Before these statements, 992 Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound ahead of Yom Kippur, one of Judaism’s important religious days. Palestinian and Jordanian authorities had previously warned against attempts to alter the status quo at the compound or divide the place of worship temporally and spatially.
Similar visits have increased in recent years, particularly during Jewish holidays.
Hamas condemns Netanyahu’s entry
In a separate statement, Hamas condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s entry into the Islamic holy site. The group said Netanyahu visited the tunnels and excavation areas beneath Al-Aqsa, as well as the Western Wall, accompanied by provocative statements.
Hamas described the entry as a “blatant attack” on the identity and status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The group said the entire compound, including its courtyards, prayer areas, walls and gates, would remain solely an Islamic mosque.
Hamas also said that excavations, entries, religious rituals and attempts to impose a Bible-centered narrative regarding the holy site could not change Al-Aqsa’s identity or eliminate any of its elements.
