Morocco condemns Israeli raid on Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan

Morocco condemns Israeli raid on Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan
Morocco condemned the Israeli raid on Al Aqsa mosque - which left at least 152 Palestinians injured - and labelled it 'systematic provocation'.
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Al Aqsa mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and has been under Israeli occupation since 1967 [Getty]

Morocco condemned on Saturday the Israeli raid on Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem saying the escalation undermines peace efforts.

At least 152 Palestinians were injured and over 400 were arrested, after Israeli forces stormed Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound on Friday.

"This blatant attack and systematic provocation during the holy month of Ramadan....will stoke hatred and extremism and undermine chances to revive the peace process in the region," Morocco's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Morocco, whose king chairs the Al Quds Committee at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), resumed diplomatic ties with Israel in December 2020. 

Other Arab states including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and others all released statements decrying Israel's actions - while the US state department called for all "sides to exercise restraint (and) avoid provocative actions and rhetoric".

Al Aqsa mosque is the third holiest site in Islam and has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. 

(Reuters)