In a statement on Monday, Nasser Kanaani said, “Such bold and provocative measures are another episode in the apartheid Zionist regime’s widespread and constant crimes against the Palestinian nation and the religious and Islamic sanctities of that territory.”
He called on the Muslim world and the international community to show effective, rapid and deterrent reaction to Ben-Gvir’s act.
“The holy al-Quds is and will remain as the integrated and eternal capital of Palestine and the Zionist occupiers’ consecutive violations of this city and its Islamic sanctities will not change its historical realities and status,” Kanaani added.
On Sunday, Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds and declared the Israeli regime “in charge”, drawing condemnation from Palestinians after months of escalating tension and violence.
The comments during his early morning visit to the compound came days after groups of Jewish youths scuffled with Palestinians and chanted racist slogans during the annual far-right “flag march” through the Old City.
The event, held on “Jerusalem (Al-Quds) Day”, which marks the 1967 capture and annexation of East Jerusalem al-Quds, a move considered illegal under international law, has led to violence in recent years, as far-right Israelis shout provocative slogans and insults, as well as physically attack Palestinians and even journalists, Al Jazeera reported.