United Nations: The United Nations Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss the recent escalation of violence at Al Haram Al Sharif in occupied East Jerusalem, according to diplomats.
Sweden, Egypt and France requested the meeting to “urgently discuss how calls for de-escalation in Jerusalem can be supported,” Sweden’s Deputy UN ambassador, Carl Skau, posted on Twitter.
Tensions began to soar after the Israeli authorities imposed restrictive measures on the entry of worshippers into Al Haram Al Sharif in occupied East Jerusalem.
The new restrictive measures include installation of metal detectors at entry points to the Al Haram Al Sharif.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ordered the suspension of all official contact with Israel until it removed the metal detectors.
The Israeli government has tried to change the demographic makeup of occupied Jerusalem over the past decades by constructing colonies, destroying historical sites and expelling the local Palestinian population.
Palestinians say the Israeli measures are aimed at paving the way for the Judaisation of the city.
The Al Haram Al Sharif is a flashpoint Islamic site, which is also holy to Jews. The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site after Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, the Middle East diplomatic quartet expressed concern on Saturday about escalating violence in Jerusalem and called on all sides to “demonstrate maximum restraint.”
The Quartet comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations.
The envoys of the four countries “strongly condemn acts of terror, express their regret for all loss of innocent life caused by the violence, and hope for a speedy recovery to the wounded,” the Quartet said in a joint statement.
“The Quartet Envoys call on all to demonstrate maximum restraint, refrain from provocative actions and work towards de-escalating the situation,” it added.
At least eight people have been killed in week-long violence in occupied East Jerusalem.
— APP & AFP
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The Arab League on Sunday accused Israel of “playing with fire” with new security measures at Al Haram Al Sharif.
“Jerusalem is a red line,” its chief Ahmad Abu Al Geit said in a statement, adding that “no Arab or Muslim will accept violations” against the city’s holy sites.
Abu Al Geit accused Israel’s government of “adventurism” and said its moves could trigger a “crisis with the Arab and Muslim world”.
Pope Francis has appealed for moderation after recent killings at Al Haram Al Sharif.
Francis told faithful on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square that he was following “with trepidation the grave tensions and violence” unleashed at a contested shrine.
Francis said: “I feel the need to express a distressed appeal for moderation and dialogue.” He invited others to pray with him so people would aim for reconciliation and peace.
—AFP & AP
