Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Settlers’ Storming of Al-Aqsa Courtyard

Gulf

March 29th, 5:34am

Asharq Al-Awsat

Israeli forces stand outside al-Aqsa compound as they evict Palestinians during the holy month of Ramadan in Jerusalem's Old City, March 26, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday the storming of the al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem by extremist Israeli settlers. The settlers stormed the area while being protected by Israeli forces. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said such practices undermine peace efforts and violate international principles and norms on respecting religious sanctities. It reiterated Riyadh’s firm stance on ending the Israeli occupation and reaching a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that would allow Palestinians to form their own independent state according to the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also strongly condemned the storming of the al-Aqsa courtyard, saying it was an extension of the settlers’ daily violations against Palestinian citizens. It warned that the latest incident was a dangerous escalation and violation of the sanctity of holy places, freedom of worship and of international law, Geneva conventions and relevant United Nations resolutions. It stressed that the al-Aqsa compound, in its entirety, was strictly a place for Islamic worship. It called on the influential parties in the international community to assume their responsibilities in pressuring Israel to cease its flagrant violations, respect the sanctity of religious places and preserve the historic and legal status of al-Aqsa.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4240131/saudi-arabia-condemns-israeli-settlers%E2%80%99-storming-al-aqsa-courtyard