Arab States Condemn Ben-Gvir’s Al-Aqsa Incursion

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan have condemned an incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who entered the site alongside groups of Jewish settlers under Israeli police protection.

Qatar described the move as “an unacceptable provocation” against Muslims worldwide, warning that such actions could contribute to further regional instability. Saudi Arabia has also condemned the visit, calling on the international community to take action against what it described as unlawful Israeli practices.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry characterised Ben-Gvir’s entry into the compound as a “provocative act” and a violation of international humanitarian law. The ministry reiterated Kuwait’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Jordan has also criticised the incident, describing it as “a blatant violation of the existing historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa and a desecration of its sanctity.”

Amman warned against any attempts to alter the arrangement governing the site or introduce divisions over access and worship. Jordan said the entire 14.4-hectare compound remains an exclusively Muslim place of worship, administered by the Jordan-affiliated Jerusalem Islamic Waqf.

The condemnations came as 992 Israeli settlers entered the compound ahead of the Jewish observance of Yom Kippur. Palestinian officials and regional governments have repeatedly raised concerns over increased visits by Israeli settlers during Jewish holidays.

Separately, Palestinian group Hamas condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to excavation sites beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Al-Buraq Wall.

Hamas said Netanyahu’s visit, which it described as being accompanied by “provocative statements,” represented “a flagrant assault on its identity and status.”

The group added that “Al-Aqsa Mosque – in its entirety including its courtyards, prayer halls, walls and gates – will remain an exclusively Islamic Mosque,” arguing that excavations and religious narratives would not change the site’s status.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound remains one of the most sensitive religious sites in the world and a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.