The Maldives has condemned the recent actions of Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, describing his storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque as a provocative breach of international law and a direct affront to the rights of Palestinians and Muslims worldwide.

The incident, which took place under the protection of Israeli occupying forces, was strongly criticised by the Maldivian Government in a statement issued on December 27, 2024.

This latest provocation marks Ben-Gvir’s fifth visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex since joining Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in 2022. On Thursday, he entered the site under heavy police protection, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. The Jordan-run Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem reported that the minister toured the mosque’s courtyard during his visit. 
The move, which occurred against the backdrop of the ongoing war on Gaza, has drawn widespread condemnation. The National Democratic Alliance, an Israeli Arab party, denounced the visit as a "deliberate provocation to the sentiments of Arabs and Muslims worldwide" and called on Palestinians to increase their presence at the mosque.

The Maldivian Government expressed deep concern over what it characterised as Israel’s persistent attempts to alter the religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites. Officials warned that such actions not only violate international law but also risk further escalating tensions in the Middle East and undermining the rights of the Palestinian people. The Maldives’ statement framed the incident as part of a pattern of provocative measures that jeopardise regional peace.

In response, the Maldives urged the international community to take swift and decisive action to prevent further attacks on religious sites. The Government emphasised the importance of safeguarding places of worship that hold immense religious and cultural significance. It also called for a renewed global commitment to upholding international law and protecting human rights.

Since 2003, Israel has allowed illegal settlers to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on an almost daily basis, excluding Fridays and Saturdays. Al-Aqsa Mosque, situated in occupied East Jerusalem, is revered as the third-holiest site in Islam. The site is also venerated by Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount, believed to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples. East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa, was occupied by Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and later annexed in 1980, a move that remains unrecognised by the international community.

Concluding the statement, the Maldivian Government reiterated its longstanding position on the genocide, advocating for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This stance aligns with international consensus and longstanding United Nations resolutions.