RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi has condemned in the strongest terms Israeli settlers’ storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the protection of the Israel Defense Forces. Albudaiwi underlined that the Israeli aggression during Ramadan constitutes a dangerous escalation, flagrant violation of international law and relevant resolutions, and the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites, as well as a provocation to Muslims worldwide. The GCC secretary-general called on the international community to immediately intervene to stop the violations and intensify efforts to push the peace process forward, stressing the GCC’s unaltered position, which places the Palestinian cause on top of its priorities and calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 border lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Saudi Arabia also condemned the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers. The Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, saying: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses Saudi Arabia’s condemnation and rejection of the blatant storming carried out by Israeli settlers into the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, amid the protection of the Israeli occupation forces, stressing that these practices undermine peace efforts and violate international principles and norms regarding respect for religious sanctities. “The ministry reiterates the Kingdom’s firm stance in supporting all efforts aimed at ending the occupation and reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause, that enables the Palestinian people to establish their independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Al-Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital,” it added.