Maldives Slams Israeli Minister's Al-Aqsa Temple Plan

The Maldivian government has issued a strong condemnation of recent statements by an Israeli minister calling for the construction of a Jewish temple at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.

This development comes amid rising tensions in the region, particularly following a controversial visit to the site by Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is one of the most contested religious sites in the world. It holds immense significance for both Muslims and Jews, being the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest site in Judaism.

The Maldives government emphasized the religious and historical importance of Al-Aqsa Mosque to over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide. They called on Israel to respect the site's historical and legal status in accordance with international laws and UN resolutions.

The statement from the Maldives comes in the wake of recent events where hundreds of Jewish Israelis, led by Minister Ben-Gvir, entered the compound. During this visit, some participants were seen praying, singing the Israeli national anthem, and carrying Israeli flags – actions that go against the long-standing status quo agreement.

The Maldivian government expressed concern that such provocative actions could hinder efforts to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza and potentially escalate religious tensions in the region. They urged the international community to take measures to prevent any changes to Jerusalem's legal status and to protect Palestinian rights.

Reaffirming their support for the Palestinian cause, the Maldives called for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

This incident has drawn widespread international criticism, with the United States, France, the United Nations, and several Arab states also condemning the visit as provocative and potentially destabilizing.

As tensions continue to simmer, the international community remains watchful of developments in this sensitive and historically significant area.