Saudi Arabia, UAE speak out against Israeli far right's moves on Al-Aqsa
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have called for an end to provocations at one of Islam's holiest sites amid comments by Israel's national security minister about building a synagogue on the site.
DUBAI — Gulf states have raised concerns about violations of the Haram al-Sharif compound in Jerusalem, which Jews call Temple Mount, as the war in Gaza drags on. Led by Riyadh on Tuesday, countries in the Gulf condemned statements by a far-right Israeli minister who called for the construction of a synagogue in the Al-Aqsa complex, one of Islam's holiest sites.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, said in an interview on Monday that Jews, who are forbidden from praying at the site, should be allowed to do so and that a synagogue should be built there.
"The policy at the Temple Mount allows praying there. Period," Ben-Gvir said. "The prime minister knew when I joined the government there would not be any discrimination. Muslims are allowed to pray, and a Jew is not allowed to pray?"
Gulf reactions
