LONDON: Saudi Arabia strongly condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound with a group of settlers, calling the move a “blatant violation” and a “provocation to Muslims worldwide.”
In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms” the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by an official of the Israeli authorities and a group of extremist settlers under the protection of Israeli forces.
The ministry said the incident constituted a violation and provocation to Muslims around the world.
Saudi Arabia also rejected the provocative practices and acts of incitement and violence by Israeli officials against Palestinians and Islamic and Christian holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The ministry stressed the need for the international community to assume its responsibility and take action to halt such violations, which it said breach international law and international humanitarian law.
#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by an official of the Israeli occupation authorities and a group of extremist settlers under the… pic.twitter.com/adb2MvWKus
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) September 21, 2026
Ben-Gvir toured the compound’s courtyards on Sunday amid a heavy security presence, according to Palestinian media. The visit came on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.
It was the second time in recent weeks that Ben-Gvir had entered the compound and appeared to perform Talmudic prayers in its eastern section.
EU commissioner discusses Israel ties, Gaza recovery
A day earlier, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica said she discussed the European Union’s relationship with Israel, regional stability and Gaza’s early recovery efforts with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
In a post on X, Šuica said the two discussed EU-Israel relations and their shared interest in security and stability across the Middle East, including a “reformed and functioning Palestinian Authority.”
European Commissioner discussed Gaza with Israeli minister
On Gaza, Šuica said she focused on the urgent need to advance early recovery, adding that continued cooperation was important for delivering recovery projects on the ground.
The European Union launched the Team Gaza Initiative in July with partner countries and organisations to support early recovery efforts, including the restoration of essential social and economic services, rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and strengthening of governance.
