Morocco has joined a chorus of countries condemning the provocative stormings of Al-Aqsa Mosque by far-right Israeli settlers and Israel Minister of Security Itamar Ben-Gvir.
A source from Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that Morocco condemns the “persistence of incursions by certain Israeli officials into the Al Aqsa Mosque and its esplanade with the participation of certain extremists.”
The source also reiterated Morocco’s “total refusal” of all unilateral actions aimed at harming peace efforts. Morocco also emphasized the importance of maintaining the legal and historical status established in the city of Al Quds and the Al-Aqsa Mosque to avoid all forms of escalation and provocation.
The statement signifies Morocco’s steadfast position supporting the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of Palestinians to enjoy an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Morocco renews this position frequently. King Mohammed VI reiterated Morocco’s commitment towards the Palestinian cause in a recent message sent to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following Tel Aviv’s decision to recognize Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
In his message, King Mohammed VI thanked Israel’s government for the decision, which he described as important.
He also invited Netanyahu to visit Morocco, stressing that the potential trip would also serve as an opportunity to discuss the Palestinian cause.
Israel’s Minister of Security Itamar Ben Gvir and Minister of the Negev and the Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf carried out a provocative visit to the mosque earlier this week, sparking international condemnation and uproar in response.
A growing list of countries from the Middle East and across the world have responded to Israel’s provocative acts, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkiye, among others.
Saudi Arabia’s statement expressed its “condemnation and denunciation” for the storming of the courtyard of the mosque, describing such practices as a “flagrant violation of all international norms and charters.”
Saudi Arabia stressed that it holds the Israeli occupation forces fully responsible for the consequences of such acts, calling on the international community to also assume responsibility to end Israel’s escalation.
