Egypt condemns breaking into Aqsa Mosque by Israeli ministers, Knesset members

CAIRO – 13 August 2024: Egypt condemned Tuesday the breaking into the yards of Al Aqsa Mosque and raising the Israeli flag by two Israeli ministers, members of the Knesset, hundreds of settlers and extremists under the protection of Israeli police and in tandem with banning Palestinian worshippers from entering.

The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that such irresponsible and provocative acts constitute a violation of international law, legal and historic status of Jerusalem.

The ministry also added that the recurrence and frequency of those acts reflect a systematic policy that must be ended immediately in commitment to the existing legal status.

Egypt underscored the necessity that the international community plays an effective role against such breaches aimed at evoking negative sentiments and thwarting ceasefire mediation endeavors.  

The country also underlined its commitment to brokering a fair, comprehensive and permanent settlement of the Palestinian Cause, and that should guarantee the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967 having as capital Eastern Jerusalem.  

Early on Tuesday, far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir led 2,250 Israelis into the mosque, and performed prayers marking a Jewish holiday, as reported by the AFP.