The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine strongly condemns and denounces Israeli extremist minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s recent remarks about constructing a synagogue within the premises of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem. The committee views these remarks as a dangerous precedent that could ignite the region and the world. The Committee calls for immediate action to counter these plans before it is too late.
In a statement released by Dr. Ramzi Khouri, member of the PLO Executive Committee and head of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, the committee highlighted that these extremist remarks reflect the official policy of the Israeli government. This government has repeatedly violated the legal, historical, and religious status of Al-Aqsa Mosque as part of its ongoing plans to advance a Judaizing-colonial agenda in occupied Jerusalem, including its Muslim and Christian holy sites.
The committee added that these recent remarks follow a series of incursions led by Ben-Gvir, along with other ministers and Knesset members, who have performed religious rituals and displayed the Israeli flag within Al-Aqsa Mosque’s courtyards.
The committee calls on relevant international bodies, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and churches worldwide to condemn these racist statements and to take urgent action to prevent the outbreak of a religious war. Such a war would have devastating consequences, and the extremist Israeli government is exacerbating this with provocative actions and rhetoric made by its ministers. The committee urges the international community to provide protection for Muslim and Christian sanctities in Palestine.
