Ramallah: The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has issued a strong condemnation following the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque on Sunday morning by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with several Knesset members.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the ministry's statement characterized the incident as a blatant provocation to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide, extending beyond the borders of Palestine. The ministry expressed its concern over the increasing exposure of Islamic holy sites to daily violations by settler groups, which it claims operate under the aegis of the far-right Israeli government. This government, the ministry alleges, is systematically working to assert control over both Islamic and Christian religious sites.
The statement further emphasized that the actions of Israeli political officials within Al-Aqsa Mosque constitute a direct violation of its sanctity and the exclusive religious rights of Muslims. It underscored that no other group has the right to perform rituals at the site, urging for serious and forceful international intervention to halt these violations.
The ministry appealed to international human rights and religious organizations, urging them to take decisive action in response to Israel's ongoing violations, particularly under what is described as a racist far-right government. The ministry accused this government of empowering Ben-Gvir and his supporters to desecrate the holy site, calling for immediate measures to protect the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
