Pan-Islamic grouping condemns Israeli minister’s call to build synagogue at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque

ANKARA

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Tuesday strongly denounced a call by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to build a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem.

Ben-Gvir claimed Monday that Jews have the right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying he would build a synagogue at the flashpoint site.

This call “is a continuation of the repeated violations by Israel, the occupying power, of the sanctity of holy sites and freedom of worship, and a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions and international law,” the Jeddah-based organization said in a statement.

The OIC said Jerusalem “is an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 and the capital of the State of Palestine."

“All decisions and measures taken by the Israeli occupation to Judaize the occupied city of Jerusalem have no legal effect and are considered null and void under international law and international legitimacy resolutions,” it added.

The pan-Islamic bloc held Israel fully responsible for the consequences of its “ongoing violations and systematic assaults that provoke the sentiments of Muslims worldwide."

Ben-Gvir’s call was the first by the extremist minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, he has repeatedly called in recent months for allowing Jewish prayers at the site.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered the third holiest site in Islam. Jews refer to the area as the Temple Mount, believing it to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. In 1980, Israel annexed the entire city, a move that has never been recognized by the international community.

Israel has faced international condemnation over its brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip that has killed over 40,400 people since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.