The Government of the Maldives has strongly denounced the recent storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, under the protection of Israeli occupying forces.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maldives criticized the repeated attempts to alter the religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque, describing the actions as provocative violations of international law and an affront to the rights of Palestinians and over two billion Muslims worldwide.
“These acts represent grave violations of international law and an attack on the rights of the Palestinian people and Muslims globally,” the statement declared.
The Maldivian government called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further aggression against religious sites. The statement emphasized the importance of respecting international law and human rights, urging swift measures to safeguard Al-Aqsa Mosque and similar sites from provocations.
Highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict, the Maldives reiterated its support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Al-Aqsa compound, a highly sensitive religious site in Jerusalem’s Old City, has triggered widespread outrage across the Arab and Islamic world. The compound, regarded as Islam’s third-holiest site, is a symbol of Palestinian identity and sovereignty.
Under Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem since 1967, non-Muslims are permitted to visit the compound during restricted hours but are prohibited from praying or displaying religious symbols there. Despite this, Israeli government officials, settlers, and security forces have frequently stormed the site, disrupting worship and sparking tension.
The Palestinian Authority’s foreign ministry condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions, describing the visit as a “provocation to millions of Palestinians and Muslims.” Similarly, Jordan’s foreign ministry labeled the minister’s actions as “provocative and unacceptable,” warning they violated the historical and legal status quo of the site.
The incident comes amid the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of at least 45,399 Palestinians and wounded over 107,000 others, the majority of whom are women and children.
Ben-Gvir defended his visit to Al-Aqsa via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that he had prayed for Israeli soldiers, the swift return of hostages, and a decisive victory for Israel.
The Maldives continues to stand firmly in support of Palestine, urging international action to halt provocations and ensure a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict.
