Saudi Arabia, UAE speak out against Israeli far right's moves on Al-Aqsa
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have called for an end to provocations at one of Islam's holiest sites amid comments by Israel's national security minister about building a synagogue on the site.
DUBAI — Gulf states have raised concerns about violations of the Haram al-Sharif compound in Jerusalem, which Jews call Temple Mount, as the war in Gaza drags on. Led by Riyadh on Tuesday, countries in the Gulf condemned statements by a far-right Israeli minister who called for the construction of a synagogue in the Al-Aqsa complex, one of Islam's holiest sites.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, said in an interview on Monday that Jews, who are forbidden from praying at the site, should be allowed to do so and that a synagogue should be built there.
"The policy at the Temple Mount allows praying there. Period," Ben-Gvir said. "The prime minister knew when I joined the government there would not be any discrimination. Muslims are allowed to pray, and a Jew is not allowed to pray?"
Gulf reactions
Saudi Arabia said it categorically rejected "extremist and provocative statements" made by Ben-Gvir and "the ongoing provocations of Muslims' feelings around the world." Riyadh also stressed the need to "respect the historical and legal status of Al-Aqsa Mosque."
Saudi Arabia, which is home to the two holiest sites in Islam, Mecca, and Medina, has previously spoken out against Israeli actions on Al-Aqsa as well as the rising death toll in Gaza, which topped 40,000 on Aug. 15.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss the conflict, which is nearing its 11th-month mark.
In a separate statement, the UAE's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday also called on Israel to respect the "historical and legal status" of Jerusalem. It called on Israel to "provide full protection" to Al-Aqsa Mosque and "halt serious provocative violations" taking place there.
Abu Dhabi also called on Tel Aviv to respect Jordan's purview of the Jerusalem holy sites. The UAE said it would support Amman's efforts to secure the holy sites.
The mosque complex is of historical significance to Jews, believed to be the site of two Jewish temples. The present-day mosque complex including the Dome of the Rock was built in the seventh and eighth centuries by Muslim rulers. Due to its deep religious significance to Jewish and Muslim communities, the complex has often proven to be a flashpoint site, particularly during times of conflict.
The site today is managed by the Jordanian Waqf per a 1967 status quo. The Waqf controls daily operations of the area and allows only for Islamic worship. The Israeli police control access to the site, allowing non-Muslim tourists but prevents worshipers from other faiths.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that Ben-Gvir's comments were a "provocation" of the feelings of Muslims around the world.
The Gulf Cooperation Council, which represents Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, also condemned Ben-Gvir's comments. Jasim Al-Budaiwi, the secretary general of the GCC, dismissed the statement as "outlandish" and "preposterous" and said it continues to "inflame the situation" and cause more instability in the region.
Why it matters
Saudi and Emirati reactions come amid increased frustration from both states toward the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The UAE normalized relations with Israel in 2020 with the Abraham Accords, which also included Bahrain. The accords allowed for flights and trade ties between both states, while tourists with Israeli passports can visit the UAE and trade flows picked up between both sides.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed said in an interview in September 2023 that both Israel and Saudi Arabia were "inching closer" to normalization. Riyadh seeks normalization with Israel in return for a US defense pact and to kick start its civilian nuclear program, though it has demanded that Israel commit to a credible path for Palestinian statehood in order to advance normalization talks.
Ben-Gvir's past
Israel's far-right national security minister has agitated for Jewish worship at Haram al-Sharif/ Temple Mount despite opposition from his own government about the security risks posed by disruptions to the status quo agreement.
Gulf concerns stem from Ben-Gvir's previous attempts to make a Passover sacrifice at the mosque complex; attempts to restore the ancient Jewish tradition of sacrifice at the complex were thwarted amid widespread condemnation.
Ben-Gvir, who has a history of anti-Muslim provocations, also demanded a ban or severe restrictions on the entry of West Bank Palestinians to the Haram al-Sharif during Ramadan this year.
“Under no circumstances should residents of the Palestinian Authority be allowed to enter Israeli territory," Ben-Gvir said, citing what he called widespread support in the West Bank for the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
However, Yishai Fleisher, a former spokesperson for Ben-Gvir who currently represents the Hebron Jewish community, told Al-Monitor that the rights of Jews to pray at the Temple Mount should be respected.
He also urged Saudi Arabia and Gulf states to recognize Israel as a trading partner and focus on economic and trade ties that could lead to peace.
To deny Jewish rights to pray at the Temple Mount is an "absurdity," he said.
