Saudi Arabia calls on int'l community to hold Israel accountable for Jews going up Temple Mount

Saudi Arabia's statement came after a Sunday report that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at the Temple Mount entrance with an entourage.

Tourist visit at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, on January 3, 2023.  (photo credit: JAMAL AWAD/FLASH90)
Tourist visit at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound on Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, on January 3, 2023.
(photo credit: JAMAL AWAD/FLASH90)

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to hold Israel accountable for what it deemed transgressions of sites holy to Islam located on Temple Mount, in a Monday post on X/Twitter. 

"The Kingdom calls on the international community, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, to hold the occupation accountable for its serious and ongoing violations against Islamic holy sites and innocent civilians in the State of Palestine and calls for an immediate ceasefire," the statement read. 

"The Kingdom also condemns the settlers' storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, reiterating its denunciation of the ongoing blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law by the occupation forces and authorities," the Saudi foreign ministry added. 

Condemning Gaza strikes

The Saudi foreign ministry also condemned IDF airstrikes in the Beit Lahia neighborhood in northern Gaza and called on the UN Security Council to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza. 

"The Ministry' of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strongest condemnation of the Israeli occupation forces' shelling of homes in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip," the statement noted. 

On Sunday, it was reported that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had arrived to the entrance of Temple Mount, however his surroundings clarified that the minister had not ascended the Mount.