Ben-Gvir’s visit to Al-Aqsa sparks Arab reactions: Jordan calls it a violation of the status quo

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem, where he remained alongside a group of Jews under police escort. The visit drew strong reactions from several Arab countries.

Jordan condemned the move as a “flagrant violation” of the historic and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa, as well as an affront to the sanctity of the site. Amman also criticized the activities of Israeli ministers and officials accompanied by Jewish groups, while objecting to the Israeli police’s support for such actions.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said that any attempt to change the status of the holy site or impose temporal and spatial divisions runs counter to international law. According to the ministry, Israel has no sovereignty over occupied East Jerusalem or the Muslim and Christian holy sites in the area. Jordan also reiterated that the entire Al-Aqsa compound is a Muslim place of worship. Qatar and Saudi Arabia took a similar position.

Kuwait described the visit as a “flagrant violation” of international and humanitarian law, considering it a provocative act. Kuwaiti authorities called for international intervention to put an end to the violations and reaffirmed their support for Palestinian rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In recent years, visits by Israeli groups to the Al-Aqsa compound have increased, particularly during Jewish holiday periods.