05.04.2023 17:29
Tor Wennesland urges leaders on all sides to act responsibly, refrain from steps that could escalate tensions.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland said Wednesday he was "disturbed" by the beating of Palestinians by Israeli forces at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem.
"I am appalled by the images of violence inside the al-Qibli mosque. I am disturbed by the apparent beating of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and large number of arrests," Wennesland said in a statement.
He also "strongly" rejected "the stockpiling and use of fireworks and rocks by Palestinians inside the mosque.
"This holy period and places of worship should be for safe and peaceful religious reflection, noting that nearly 600,000 people have visited the Holy Sites in Jerusalem since the beginning of Ramadan," said Wennesland.
He called on political, religious and community leaders on all sides to reject incitement, inflammatory rhetoric and provocative actions.
"The historic status quo of the Holy Sites must be upheld, in line with the special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The role of the Waqf is vital and it must be empowered to fulfill its crucial duties," he said.
Wennesland also called for leaders on all sides to act responsibly and refrain from steps that could escalate tensions.
"The indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza is unacceptable and must stop," Wennesland added. He stated that the UN is in close contact with all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation.
Tension rose in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday after Israeli police detained around 350 worshippers from inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex.
A group of Palestinians barricaded themselves inside the Al-Qibli Prayer Hall in the complex after Jewish settlers called for a raid on the mosque. They attempted to prevent police from entering by closing its doors.
Surrounding the Al-Qibli Prayer Hall, Israeli police went up to the roof of the mosque, smashed some of the windows and initially intervened with sound bombs against the worshippers inside. Some of the people in the mosque tried to resist the police by throwing fireworks. -