Turkey decries Israelis’ storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Turkey has become the latest country in the region to condemn the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem by crowds of Israelis, including two far-right ministers.
In a statement carried by Anadolu news agency, it said the march on the mosque – one of Islam’s holiest sites – is a “provocation that will further escalate tensions”.
Houthis condemn Israel’s ‘criminal plans’ after Al-Aqsa Mosque storming
The political bureau of the Houthis has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which it said considers a “blatant violation of the sanctities of Islam”.
“We warn against all systematic and repeated Jewish steps that occur in full view of the international community,” it said in a statement, adding that Muslims “will not allow any of the enemy’s criminal plans to pass against Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Islamic identity therein”.
The Houthi political bureau added that “the enemy’s persistence in its crimes” will only persuade more Muslims to stand up in support of Palestinians.
EU slams ‘provocations’ by far-right Israeli minister at Al-Aqsa Mosque
The EU has condemned “provocations” by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after officials said he performed prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem.
“The EU strongly condemns the provocations by Israeli Min. Ben Gvir who, during his visit to the Holy Sites, advocated for the violation of the status quo,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote on X.
The EU strongly condemns the provocations by Israeli Min. Ben-Gvir who, during his visit to the Holy Sites, advocated for the violation of the Status Quo.
The EU reiterates its June #EUCO Leaders call for the Status Quo to be upheld, incl. with respect to Jordan’s special role.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 13, 2024
France condemns Ben-Gvir’s prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound
France has called Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s leading of prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound a violation of the historical status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem.
“This new provocation is unacceptable. France calls on the Israeli government to take all necessary measures to ensure respect for the historic status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
US calls far-right Israeli minister’s prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque ‘unacceptable’
The US has criticised Israel’s national security minister for leading prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, saying he had hurt efforts for talks towards a Gaza ceasefire.
“The United States stands firmly for preservation of the historic status quo with respect to the holy sites of Jerusalem and any unilateral action… that jeopardises such a status quo is unacceptable,” State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters.
“Not only is it unacceptable, it detracts from what we think is a vital time, as we are working to get this ceasefire deal across the finish line.”
Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of the far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition, led hundreds of Israelis into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound earlier today.
The visit defied rules in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem that allow Jews and other non-Muslims to visit the mosque compound but not to pray or display religious symbols.
UN says Al-Aqsa Mosque prayer ‘unduly provocative’
The UN has also denounced the move by Ben-Gvir to lead prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. “We are against any efforts to change the status quo within the holy sites,” said deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
“Al-Aqsa Mosque, like the other holy sites in Jerusalem, should be left to themselves and should be controlled by the existing religious authorities for the sites. This sort of behaviour is unhelpful and it is unduly provocative.”
Israeli settlers gather in Jerusalem
The atmosphere in the occupied Palestinian territory remains tense in the aftermath of an Israeli far-right minister’s leading of Jewish prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
A video circulating in Palestinian channels on Telegram, which has been verified by Al Jazeera, shows Israeli forces searching and abusing a young man in the Damascus Gate area of Jerusalem.
Another video showed a large number of Israeli settlers gathering near the Western Wall – also referred to as the Wailing Wall or the Buraq Wall in occupied Jerusalem – with Israeli soldiers also deployed in the area.
The Damascus Gate area in the Old City of Jerusalem is a heavily guarded area where Palestinians are at times subjected to searches
