Riyadh – The Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General has denounced Israel’s escalation in Jerusalem and its forces’ continuous assaults on the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi criticised the disrespect shown by Israeli forces throughout Ramadan and the breach of Al-Aqsa’s sanctity.
The continued invasions at the mosque and Israeli violence during the holy month, according to Albudaiwi, violate the sanctities of the holy sites.
He urged the international community to stand up for Palestinian civilians and prevent Israeli plans to alter the legal status, racial makeup, and arrangements for the Islamic holy site in Jerusalem.
The GCC has listed specific violations committed by Israeli soldiers, such as the shutting of the Ibrahimi Mosque and the harassment, assault, and ejection of worshippers.
According to Albudaiwi, such actions are provocative to Muslims worldwide, violate the legal standing of sacred sites, go against long-standing status quo agreements, and seriously violate international law and UN resolutions.
He continued by saying that the continual horrific assaults marked a worrying turning point, and the Israeli government was solely to blame.
The declaration was made a few days after Albudaiwi denounced the Israeli settlers’ raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque on March 29 while being protected by Israeli soldiers.
Such actions during Ramadan, according to him, represented a risky uptick, a clear violation of international law, and a breach of Jerusalem’s legal and historical status quo.
