Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s visit to Al-Aqsa compound

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned the visit of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, calling it a provocation and denouncing what it referred to as “Israeli aggression” against the holy site.

In a statement issued by the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Riyadh criticized the visit, describing it as "carried out under the protection of the occupation police" and condemned what it called "violations" against the third holiest site in Islam.

While Saudi Arabia's language was particularly strong, the reality on the ground appears more restrained. 

There were no direct attacks or confrontations reported at the two mosques within the compound, which continue to be administered by Jordan under the Waqf system.

However, the presence of Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right figure with a long record of inflammatory actions and rhetoric, has once again stirred regional tensions. His visit — seen by many as symbolic and politically motivated — is widely regarded as unhelpful and counterproductive in a highly sensitive context.

Ben Gvir is known for his frequent visits to the contested site, which Muslims call Haram al-Sharif and Jews refer to as the Temple Mount. His actions are often viewed as deliberate provocations that undermine diplomatic efforts and further isolate Israel on the international stage, especially at a time when regional normalization remains fragile.

Critics, including within Israel, argue that such moves do little to advance security or diplomacy, and instead fuel resentment in an already volatile environment.

As tensions over Jerusalem’s holy sites persist, many observers see Ben Gvir’s latest visit as a political stunt with more symbolic value than practical impact, but one that nonetheless undermines Israel’s broader diplomatic interests, including its outreach to Arab states like Saudi Arabia.