Monitoring Desk
DUBAI/CAIRO: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned a visit by an ultranationalist Israeli Cabinet minister to the Masjid Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem Tuesday morning.
In a strongly worded statement, the OIC described the visit by Itamar Ben-Gvir, who briefly toured the site under heavy security, “as part of Israeli attempts to change the existing legal and historical status of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
The OIC said it considered the act “a provocation to the religious feelings of all Muslims and a clear violation of relevant international resolutions.”
Ben-Gvir has repeatedly called for greater Jewish access to the holy site, which Palestinians view as provocative and a potential precursor to Israel taking complete control over the compound. Ben-Gvir did not approach the mosque.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh termed the visit as a bid to turn the mosque complex “into a Jewish temple.”
Palestinians to confront raids on Masjid Al-Aqsa
Addressing his cabinet, Shtayyeh called on Palestinians to “confront the raids into Masjid Al-Aqsa.”
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry stated it “strongly condemns the storming of Al-Aqsa mosque by the Israeli extremist minister Ben-Gvir and sees it as an unprecedented provocation and a threatening escalation of the conflict.”
Jordan said on Tuesday it also condemned a visit by the Israeli minister to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the strongest terms.
“Jordan condemns in the strongest of terms the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque and violating its sanctity,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The visit violated international law and “the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem.”
Ben-Gvir’s stated intention to visit the site earlier this week drew threats from Hamas.
A spokesman for Hamas said of Israeli minister Ben-Gvir’s visit: “This behaviour will bring all the concerned parties closer to a dangerous clash.”
