ALBAWABA - The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning the "extremist" remarks made by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding building a synagogue within the Al Aqsa Mosque yard.
"The kingdom affirms its categorical rejection of these extremist and inflammatory statements and its rejection of the continuous provocations of the feelings of Muslims around the world," the statement reads.
Saudi Arabia asserted the importance of respecting the religious, historical, and legal status of Al Aqsa Mosque, calling for putting an end to the disasters the Palestinian people endure under the brutal occupation and holding Israeli officials accountable.
"The kingdom stresses the need to respect the historical and legal status quo of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, renewing its call to the international community to fulfill its responsibilities in putting an end to the humanitarian disaster that the brotherly Palestinian people are enduring and to initiate serious mechanisms to hold Israeli officials accountable for the ongoing violations of international laws, norms, and resolutions," The statement continued.
Ben Gvir's statement
In an interview with the Israeli Army Radio, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that he is planning on building a synagogue on the grounds of Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.
"Current policies allow us to pray at Al-Aqsa, so establishing a synagogue there is possible," Ben Gvir told the Army Radio.
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel responded to the remarks by calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to block Ben-Gvir's schemes, warning that his lack of vision might spark unrest and jeopardize "Israel’s strategic alliances against Iran".
