The Government of the Maldives has strongly condemned a recent statement by an Israeli Minister calling for the construction of a synagogue within the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has repeatedly ignored the Israeli government’s longstanding ban on Jews praying at the site, told Army Radio on Monday that if it were possible, he would build a synagogue at the Al-Aqsa compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maldivian government denounced the remarks as provocative and warned of their potential to escalate religious tensions in the region.

Statement further described the mosque as a revered place of worship and a symbol of Islamic heritage, urging Israel to respect its historical and legal status in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.

The government expressed concern that such inflammatory comments from senior Israeli officials could undermine efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and contribute to further instability in the Middle East. 

The Maldives also called on the international community to intervene urgently to prevent any actions that could alter the legal status of Jerusalem and its holy sites and urged global actors to take measures to protect the rights of the Palestinian people

Reaffirming its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause, the Maldivian government reiterated its commitment to the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

This firm stance by the Maldives reflects its broader alignment with international efforts to protect Palestinian rights and preserve the sanctity of the region's religious sites.