The United States said it was “deeply concerned” after more than 150 Palestinians were injured in clashes this Friday with the Israeli police on the Esplanade of Mosques in Jerusalem.
“We call on all parties to restraint, to avoid provocation and rhetoric,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
He added: “We urge Palestinian and Israeli officials to work in cooperation to reduce tensions and ensure the security of all.”
Finally, they affirmed that the State Department will follow developments closely and will be in close contact with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials to try to reduce tensions.
Earlier, Spain, Germany, France and Italy had expressed concern over escalating violence, urging Israelis and Palestinians “to maximum restraint” and to “avoid any form of provocation.”
The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the four countries signed a joint communiqué calling for “preserving and respecting the historical status quo of the Holy Places of Jerusalem” and stressing the “importance of Jordan's role in this regard”.
“We are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence today in East Jerusalem on Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount,” regret Spain, Germany, France and Italy.
Therefore, and “in this special period of religious holidays”, they urge all parties involved to “maximum restraint, as well as to avoid violence and any form of provocation, especially on the Esplanade of Mosques, to allow worship in peace and dignity”.
“We remain actively committed to supporting all efforts towards de-escalation and recall the importance of the two-State solution as a basis for achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace,” they conclude.
Today's events take place against a backdrop of growing tension in the region, following a week of heavy violence in the West Bank where the Israeli Army has carried out multiple raids following a series of attacks by Palestinians in recent weeks.
Until today, the city of Jerusalem had been left out of the main incidents of recent weeks, which included four serious attacks in Israel and multiple military operations on West Bank territory.
(With information from AFP and EFE)
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