OIC Condemns Ben-Gvir for Raising Israeli Flag at Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly criticized Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for raising an Israeli flag at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem. The OIC, representing 57 member states, described the act as a deliberate provocation against Muslim sentiments worldwide. Ben-Gvir, a far-right politician, participated in a rally with settler groups on the Temple Mount, a site revered as the third holiest in Islam after Mecca and Medina. He subsequently posted a photo on social media platform X, claiming that Jewish control over the site had been restored. This incident highlights ongoing tensions regarding sovereignty and access to the holy site, which is also home to the ancient Jewish Temple. Ben-Gvir has a history of visiting the area during sensitive periods, such as Jerusalem Day, to assert Israeli claims. The action has drawn immediate condemnation from Islamic nations, underscoring the fragile religious and political dynamics in the region. The event serves as a flashpoint in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raising concerns about potential escalation and further destabilization in East Jerusalem.