Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Extremist Israeli Statements

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Extremist Israeli Statements

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government stressed on Tuesday its categorical rejection of extremist and inflammatory Israeli statements and ongoing provocations of the sentiments of Muslims around the world.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The government called on the international community to put a stop to the catastrophic humanitarian crisis endured by the brotherly Palestinian people and to activate serious mechanisms to hold Israeli officials accountable for their continuous violations of international laws, norms and resolutions.

The ministers were briefed on the message received by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz from Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and the talks held between Crown Prince Mohammed and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

During the talks, Saudi Arabia stressed that it will maintain its efforts with international and regional parties to end the escalation in Gaza.

The cabinet reviewed the outcome of the Geneva meetings aimed at reaching tangible and immediate steps to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people and achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities, stressing that the Kingdom will continue to work with international partners until security and stability are restored in Sudan.

The cabinet highlighted the latest major local economic developments and relevant statistics and indicators, noting the 10.5% increase in non-oil exports in the second quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2023.

It congratulated the winners of the 44th edition of the King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation and Interpretation of the Holy Quran, underlining the Kingdom’s keenness, since its establishment, to serve the Quran, viewing this as the noblest of goals.

The cabinet also praised the success of the first edition of the Esports World Cup, which embodies efforts to boost the Kingdom’s position as a global destination for major sporting events and activities.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Minister’s Call to Build Synagogue at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday an Israeli minister’s call to build a synagogue at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday an Israeli minister’s call to build a synagogue at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israeli Minister’s Call to Build Synagogue at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound

Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday an Israeli minister’s call to build a synagogue at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday an Israeli minister’s call to build a synagogue at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Tuesday an Israeli minister’s call to build a synagogue at the site of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry underscored the Kingdom’s "categorical rejection of these extremist and inflammatory comments."

It rejected the ongoing "provocation of Muslims around the world, stressing the need to respect the historical and legal standing of the Al-Aqsa Mosque."

It reiterated its call on the international community "to assume its responsibilities in putting an end to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Palestinian territories and holding Israeli officials accountable for the ongoing violations of international laws, norms and resolutions."

Israel's hardline Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir repeated on Monday a call for Jews to be allowed to pray at the Al-Aqsa compound, drawing sharp criticism for inflaming tensions as ceasefire negotiators seek a deal to halt fighting in Gaza.

"The policy at the Temple Mount allows praying there. Period," Ben-Gvir told an Army Radio interviewer. "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?"

Asked if he would build a synagogue on the site if he could, Ben-Gvir replied: "Yes, Yes."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office immediately put out a statement restating the official Israeli position, which accepts decades-old rules restricting non-Muslim prayer at the mosque compound.

The hillside compound, in Jerusalem's Old City, is one of the most sensitive locations in the Middle East, holy for both Muslims and Jews, and the trigger for repeated conflict.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said calls to tamper with the status of Al-Aqsa appeared intended "to drag the region into a religious war that will burn everyone".