Maldivian govt. condemns storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli minister

Maldivian government has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir under the protection of occupying Israeli forces.

Ben-Gvir, via a post on X on Thursday, reported visiting Al-Aqsa Mosque earlier in the day, citing it was to pray for the welfare of Israeli soldiers, the swift return of hostages and the total victory of Israel. 

In a statement on Friday, the Maldivian government said such repeated attempts to alter the religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa, which can be considered provocative, represent serious breaches of international law and an infringement on the rights of the Palestinian people and more than two billion Muslims globally.

The government also reiterated its call on the international community to take swift and resolute measures to prevent any further acts of aggression against religious sites and to guarantee adherence to international law and human rights.

It was stressed that a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict can only be possible through the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israeli government officers, security forces and settlers have stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque on various occasions, often attacking and obstructing Palestinian prayergoers.