Arab League condemns Israeli minister's incursion into Al-Aqsa Mosque compound

The Arab League has condemned Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Thursday alongside a group of settlers. 

In a statement, the Secretary-General of the regional bloc, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, described the incursion as a blatant provocation aimed at inflaming sentiments and escalating tensions.

He noted that the entry of the extremist minister under the protection of Israeli police reflects the nature of the Israeli government's extremist agenda, which opposes peaceful coexistence.

Aboul Gheit stressed that the continued violation of the historical status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli government offends the sentiments of two billion Muslims worldwide.

He added that through such unacceptable and condemnable policies, Israel is deliberately undermining all prospects for peaceful coexistence among religions in the region.

The far-right Israeli National Security Minister said he would build a Jewish synagogue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. The Israeli government has had a longstanding ban on Jews praying at the holy site, a directive largely ignored by the minster and his supporters.

Since taking office in 2022, the minister has visited the Al-Aqsa site at least six times, prompting widespread condemnation by Arab and Western nations, as well as Orthodox Jews and some Israeli officials.