Morocco strongly condemned the recent “flag march” in occupied Jerusalem, which saw Israeli settlers, officials and Knesset members enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque, said Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
Speaking at a press briefing following his talks with his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira on Friday, Bourita condemned both the march’s legality, which he saw as disrespecting the status of occupied Jerusalem and the limits imposed on Palestinian worshippers’ access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He also decried the entry of Israeli officials inside Al-Aqsa, calling it a provocation to Muslims.
Bourita reiterated Morocco’s opposition to such activities, particularly given the continuing tensions in Gaza.
King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, has repeatedly and vehemently condemned such provocations, which occur at a time when Israeli aggression in Gaza is ongoing, resulting in countless civilian casualties, the Minister reminded.
The Kingdom of Morocco, he said, “strongly rejects” Israeli incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, urges Israeli authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure that such acts do not occur again, and calls on the international community, including the UN Security Council and the acting powers, to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Muslim places of worship in the city of Al-Quds.
He encouraged Israeli authorities to put an end to these provocations, emphasizing the need not to escalate tensions. He also asked for the protection of people praying at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Morocco restated its long-held attitude on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict., and advocated for an immediate cease-fire to stop hostilities, unhindered humanitarian aid to Palestinian people, and the formation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital that can coexist peacefully with Israel.