“Deliberately provoking Palestinians:” FOA slams Israel’s Ben-Gvir’s storming of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque

London (QNN)- London-based Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) condemned Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Tuesday storming of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying he is “challenging the historic status quo of Al-Aqsa.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, FOA said it “is deeply concerned but not surprised by Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s provocative visit to Al-Aqsa.”

“Ben-Gvir is a far-right racist who has made clear his ambition to increase Israeli control of the sacred site.”

The group referred to the number of “incursions and attacks on Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa” which “has rapidly increased in recent years.”

48,000 Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa in 2022, more than any year previously, the group noted.

“We are now seeing increased calls in Israel for the destruction of Al-Aqsa and its replacement with a Jewish temple,” said FOA.

“Al-Aqsa is an important symbol of Palestinian nationhood and culture, and a hugely significant site for Muslims worldwide. It must be protected from Israeli occupation and apartheid.”

FOA added, “This is another attempt by Netanyahu’s new far-right government to further Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and its apartheid regime.”

“Ben-Gvir has only been in office for 3 days and already he’s challenging the historic status quo of Al-Aqsa and deliberately provoking Palestinians”.

FOA also called on UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to “not only condemn Israeli provocation at Al-Aqsa but also impose sanctions on Israel without hesitation.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Ben-Gvir broke into the holy site amid tight security measures. The break-in lasted for 13 minutes, local sources reported.

He requested to break into the site on Monday claiming that the visit was intended to mark the fast of the Tenth of Tevet.

On Sunday, Ben-Gvir said he would visit the holy site in the near future. New Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly spoke with Ben-Gvir on Monday to discuss his intention to visit the site. The Likud confirmed that, following consultations with security establishment officials, Netanyahu did not object to Ben-Gvir’s break-in.

Ben-Gvir’s last storming of the holy site took place last March and lasted about fifteen minutes. In May last year, accompanied by his wife and son, Ben-Gvir posted a picture calling for the destruction of the site to “establish a synagogue on the mountain”.

Since 2014, stormings by Israeli occupation officials to the Al-Aqsa Mosque have been considered provocations and a threat to the status quo. Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon’s storming to the site in 2000 sparked the Second Palestinian Intifada, or uprising.

Ben-Gvir, who was sworn in last week as part of a new government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, is known for his extreme views. He broke into the holy site despite warnings of escalation from Israeli and Palestinian officials.

Following his storming, the United Kingdom expressed concern, saying it “remains committed to the Status Quo, and it is important that all should avoid actions which inflame tensions and undermine the cause of peace,” the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said in a press statement.

Moreover, a string of condemnations from several Arab countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Morocco, quickly followed Ben-Gvir’s storming of the holy site.