Turkey condemned Israeli minister's visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued an official condemnation of the Israeli minister’s actions on the grounds of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, characterizing the incident as a provocation. Ankara expressed deep concern over the violation of the status quo and demanded to ensure guarantees of respect for the rights of believers and the sanctity of the Muslim site.

According to the press service of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the incident took place on May 14, 2026 in East Jerusalem when an Israeli minister entered the mosque compound as part of a group of settlers. An official statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry called the episode a “desecration” that could undermine confidence in the existing mechanisms for protecting the holy site and increase tensions between religious communities.

Turkish diplomats emphasized that such actions pose a direct threat to the safety of pilgrims and stability in the region. The Turkish Foreign Ministry also called on the international community and the parties involved to prevent facts that infringe on the rights of believers. Earlier in the information field already discussed provocative statements of the Israeli side, in particular the phrase “The Temple Mount is in our hands”, which, according to experts, has an extremely negative impact on the climate of inter-church dialog and the general situation in the Holy Land.

Recall, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir made a repeat visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which caused sharp criticism from Arab states. Despite warnings about the possible escalation of violence, the politician publicly emphasized his claims to control over the territory.