EU's top diplomat condemns Israelis’ storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said he "strongly condemns" the actions of dozens of Israelis, led by ministers, who prayed at Al-Aqsa Mosque during a large raid on Tuesday, violating decades-old arrangements that stipulate only Muslims can worship at the site in Jerusalem's Old City. 

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who was among the crowds, said: “Our policy is to allow Jewish prayer at the Temple Mount,” referring to Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, also known as al-Haram al-Sharif, lies on a raised plateau that Jews refer to as the Temple Mount.

"The EU strongly condemns the provocations by Israeli Min. Ben-Gvir who, during his visit to the Holy Sites, advocated for the violation of the Status Quo," said Borrell. 

For decades, a delicate status quo has governed worship and visits to the site, permitting only Muslims to pray in its courtyards and prayer halls.

Non-Muslims have been allowed to visit under the supervision of the Waqf, a joint Jordanian-Palestinian Islamic trust that manages the mosque's affairs.