The Kingdom's firm stance towards violations
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has repeatedly expressed its strong condemnation of the repeated Israeli provocations against the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These official condemnations, usually issued through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirm the Kingdom's unwavering stance against any practices that undermine peace efforts and violate international principles and norms. The incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by settlers and Israeli officials, under the protection of Israeli forces, constitute a dangerous escalation that deeply offends the feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide.
The historical context and religious significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque holds immense religious significance in the hearts of Muslims, being the first Qibla (direction of prayer) and the third holiest site in Islam, and the site of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj). From this perspective, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and a leader of the Muslim world, is deeply committed to defending Islamic holy sites. Historically, since the era of its founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud (may God have mercy on him), Saudi Arabia has consistently supported the Palestinian cause politically, materially, and morally, considering it its primary and central issue. The Kingdom consistently emphasizes the necessity of preserving the historical and legal status quo in occupied Jerusalem and its holy sites, warning against any attempts to alter this Islamic and Arab identity.
The nature of Israeli provocations and their repercussions
Israeli provocations consist of a series of systematic measures, including allowing extremists to storm the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and perform Talmudic rituals in its courtyards, as well as restricting Palestinian worshippers and preventing them from exercising their natural right to worship. These practices not only constitute a flagrant violation of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy, but also a clear breach of the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and an infringement on freedom of worship.
Expected impact at the regional and international levels
At the local and regional levels, these ongoing violations are fueling anger and resentment in the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim worlds, raising the specter of a dangerous escalation that could spiral out of control and threaten security and stability throughout the region. At the international level, Israel's continued disregard for global appeals undermines the credibility of the international community and its institutions, most notably the United Nations Security Council.
Therefore, Saudi Arabia reiterates on every occasion its urgent call to the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities and intervene immediately to stop these provocative practices. The Kingdom emphasizes that achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East will only be possible through ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.
