The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, strongly condemned the serious escalation represented by groups of Israeli officials and settlers storming the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.

Al-Budaiwi affirmed—according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Wednesday—that these provocative actions constitute a blatant violation of the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and a flagrant assault on the feelings of Muslims worldwide. He pointed out that this is a rejected attempt to impose a Judaization reality on the Noble Sanctuary, in clear violation of international law and relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

The GCC countries reiterated their firm rejection of all attempts to change the historical and legal status quo of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy city of Jerusalem, calling on the international community to immediately assume its responsibilities to stop these violations and protect Islamic holy sites from all forms of tampering and provocation.