Jerusalem, 18 April 2022 (TDI): Secretary-General of the United Nations has voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation in Jerusalem.
Provocations on the Holy Esplanade must stop to prevent further escalation, said the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric, as well.
The Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, has expressed deep concern about the deteriorating situation in Jerusalem and called leaders on both sides to de-escalate tension.
.@antonioguterres voices deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Jerusalem, calling on leaders on all sides to help calm the situation. Provocations on the Holy Esplanade must stop now to prevent further escalation.
Full statement 👇https://t.co/z7Ql1NiLK5
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) April 15, 2022
Guterres reiterated his call for the status quo at the holy sites to be upheld and respected by Muslims and Jews. UN intervenes to cease escalation between Israel and Palestine.
He reciprocated his commitment to supporting Israelis and Palestinians to resolve the conflict based on UN resolutions, international law, and bilateral relations.
Background
The rift between Israel and Palestine in the West Bank and East Jerusalem escalated when the Jewish festival of Passover overlapped with the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.
Over 150 Palestinians were injured due to a raid of Israeli police on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem after a morning prayer on Friday.
Most of the injuries took place due to rubber bullets. Several Palestinians have been killed in the Occupied West Bank by Israeli forces since March.
The United Nations envoy for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, expressed his concern about provocations on the Holy Esplanade.
“The provocations on the Holy Esplanade must stop now. I call on political, religious, and community leaders on all sides to help calm the situation, avoid spreading inflammatory rhetoric.”
Tor Wennesland also urged all stakeholders to speak up against those seeking to escalate the situation. Allowing tensions to spiral further only risks another escalation.” It is pertinent to note here that such incidents are a common occurrence.
