Burhanettin Duran, Head of Communications for the Turkish Presidency, issued a strong condemnation of the latest Israeli settler incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, denouncing them as a direct assault on the sanctity of Islam’s third holiest site.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the raid on Al-Aqsa Mosque carried out by some Israeli ministers along with fanatic groups under the protection of the Israeli police,” Duran declared in an official statement released on X.

Duran emphasized that these repeated incursions are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign to undermine Palestinian presence in Jerusalem and to provoke Muslims worldwide: “Targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque is part of Israel’s dirty war and genocide; it is a vile provocation and an attempt to occupy Al-Aqsa.”

Recalling President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s firm stance on the issue, Duran reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering position: “As our President has stated: ‘Al-Aqsa Mosque is our red line!’”

Highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of Jerusalem, Duran stressed that the city is the shared land of all Abrahamic faiths, with Al-Aqsa Mosque serving as a sacred sanctuary for Muslims and a heritage of humanity: “Jerusalem is the shared land of all Abrahamic religions; Al-Aqsa Mosque is the common sanctuary of Muslims and the shared heritage of all humanity. We will always stand up for the sanctity of Al-Aqsa. It is our common heritage and collective memory.”

Duran reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to defending Al-Aqsa and standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people: “We continue to stand by all our Palestinian brothers and sisters.”

The latest settler raids on Al-Aqsa come amid escalating Israeli provocations in occupied Jerusalem, which Palestinian and international observers have warned risk triggering wider unrest across the region. Türkiye has consistently condemned these actions as violations of international law and attacks on religious freedom. (ILKHA)