Turkish Foreign Ministry condemns Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir talks to emergency responders at the scene of a suspected stabbing attack in Holon, Israel, August 4, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has issued a strong condemnation of the recent actions at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing them as a violation of the historic status of the site and a provocation that could further escalate tensions in the region.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry highlighted the entry of hundreds of radical Israeli individuals, including government ministers, into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police protection.
The ministry described this as a deliberate provocation, stating, “The raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque, conducted by hundreds of radical Israelis, including ministers, under police protection, is a provocation that violates the historical status of Jerusalem and will further escalate tensions in our region.”
The ministry’s statement emphasized that these actions demonstrate Israel’s lack of intent to pursue peace. “This provocative action has once again exposed that the Israeli side is not intending to reach peace,” the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry also urged the international community to take immediate action to prevent further destabilization of the region, particularly in light of ongoing violence in Gaza. “The international community must immediately act to stop the atrocities committed by the Israeli government in Gaza and to prevent such actions, which aim to destabilize our entire region,” the statement concluded.
The incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque involved Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, who led a group of around 2,250 Israelis into the mosque compound. Ben Gvir, known for his provocative actions, conducted prayers at the site, despite a longstanding ban on Jewish prayer at the location, which is revered in Judaism as the site of the ancient temple destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD and is Islam’s third holiest site.
Ben Gvir’s actions, captured in a video he filmed himself, included a vow to “defeat Hamas” in Gaza, where intense conflict continues. His visit coincided with the Jewish mourning day of Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the destruction of the ancient temple.
The move was condemned by various international entities besides the Turkish Foreign Ministry, including Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, which labeled the actions as a “flagrant violation of international law.” The ministry’s spokesperson, Sufyan al-Qudah, called for a “clear and firm international position” against the ongoing violations.
The European Union also strongly condemned the actions of Ben Gvir, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticizing the “provocations” by the Israeli minister. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Borrell wrote, “The EU strongly condemns the provocations by Israeli Minister Ben Gvir who, during his visit to the Holy Sites, advocated for the violation of the status quo.” The EU reiterated its stance on maintaining the status quo at the holy sites, viewing any attempts to alter it as a threat to stability in the region.
The U.S. State Department joined in the criticism, with spokesperson Vedant Patel stating that Ben Gvir’s actions “detract from efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.”
Despite these criticisms, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office asserted that the visit did not deviate from the status quo, stating, “Israel’s policy on the Temple Mount has not changed; this is how it has been and this is how it will be.”
