TURKEY CONDEMNS ISRAELI SECURITY MINISTER’S VISIT TO AL-AQSA MOSQUE COMPOUND
Turkey has strongly condemned the visit by Israel’s National Security Minister to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, describing the move as a provocative action that violates the sanctity and historical status of one of Islam’s holiest sites.
According to reports, the Israeli minister entered the Al-Aqsa compound on Tuesday morning accompanied by more than 3,200 Israeli visitors during observances associated with the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av. The visit took place under heavy protection from Israeli security forces.
In a statement, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced what it called a forceful and provocative incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, saying such actions undermine the long-standing legal and historical status quo governing the holy site.
Ankara said these repeated actions are unacceptable and warned that they risk further escalating tensions in Jerusalem and across the wider region. The Turkish government also called on the international community to take concrete steps to prevent what it described as continued provocations, which it said are being encouraged by the current Israeli government.
Turkey reiterated its position that respect for the sanctity of holy sites and the preservation of the existing arrangements at Al-Aqsa are essential for regional stability.
Saudi Arabia and several other Muslim-majority countries also issued strong condemnations of the visit, expressing concern over what they described as increasing Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and urging the international community to intervene to prevent further escalation.