Muslim Elders join UAE in condemning Ben-Gvir's comments on synagogue at Al Aqsa

Israel's far-right security minister heavily criticised and accused of 'blatant provocation'

Jews are barred from praying at the Al Aqsa Mosque complex under a 'status quo' agreement, although they can visit. Reuters

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The UAE, Egypt and the Muslim Council of Elders led condemnation of Israel’s National Security Minister yesterday after he said he would build a synagogue in Al Aqsa Mosque compound if he could.

Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed on Monday that Jews had the right to pray on the complex in East Jerusalem. "If I could do anything I wanted, I would put an Israeli flag on the site," Mr Ben-Gvir told Israel's Army Radio, and said "yes" when asked whether he would build a synagogue there.

Al Aqsa Mosque is considered the third-holiest site in Islam after Makkah and Madinah.

The Muslim Council of Elders which brings together Muslim leaders from across the world to promote peace, said Mr Ben-Gvir's statement was a "blatant provocation to the feelings of Muslims" and against international law.

The UAE, in a statement carried by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "condemned and denounced in the strongest terms" the minister's comments and stressed “the need for Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and not to tamper with it”. It also reaffirmed its position on the “need to provide full protection for Al Aqsa Mosque and stop serious and provocative violations”.

Egypt said comments such as Mr Ben-Gvir's complicate the situation in the Palestinian territories and obstruct efforts towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. More than 40,400 people have been killed in the Israeli bombardment of the strip, which began in October in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.

Al Aqsa compound sits inside occupied East Jerusalem and access to the site operates on a "status quo" arrangement, whereby Jews are allowed to visit but are barred from prayer at the site.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry, the custodian of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem including Al Aqsa Mosque, said Monday's statement was "a violation of international law and an unacceptable incitement that requires a clear international position to condemn and confront it".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office restated his country's official position, which accepts decades-old rules restricting non-Muslim prayer at the mosque compound, which Jews revere as the site of two ancient temples.

Mr Ben-Gvir has long played agitator at the Al Aqsa complex, regularly turning up to the site with illegal settlers to storm it. This month he accompanied 1,000 Israeli settlers with security forces to pray there.

Israel's education and defence ministers criticised his behaviour.