Photo: Collected-
Metropolis Desk-
World leaders and global organizations expressed concern about and condemned Israeli violence against Palestinians at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday, with some warning that it could further escalate tensions in the region.
Germany urged both sides “to do everything possible to calm the situation.”
The Arab League denounced “the attack on the faithful” and called an emergency meeting.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting on the incident, the League condemned what it called “crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against defenceless Muslim worshippers” in the mosque.
The pre-dawn raid risked “igniting a spiral of violence that threatens security and stability in the region and the world”, it added.
It called on the United Nations, including the Security Council, to assume its legal, moral and humanitarian responsibilities for halting the Israeli aggression and providing international protection for the Palestinian people.
Jordan, which administers the mosque, condemned its “storming,” and called on Israeli forces to leave the compound immediately.
The United Arab Emirates and Morocco, which established ties with Israel in 2020 as part of U.S.-brokered accords, also strongly condemned the Israeli police action.
A UAE foreign ministry statement rejected all practices that “threaten to further exacerbate escalation”. It also criticized worshippers who “barricade themselves.”
Rabat’s foreign ministry stressed the need “to avoid measures and violations likely to damage chances of peace in the region.”
The Gulf emirate of Qatar, which does not recognize Israel, warned that Israeli practices “will have serious repercussions on security and stability in the region, and will undermine efforts to revive the stalled peace process, if the international community does not hasten to take action.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced concern about violence, but fell short of condemning the violence.
“We are extremely concerned with the inflamed rhetoric coming out of the Israeli government,” Trudeau said at a public budget announcement.
“It is the holy month of Ramadan and Passover together, and both Israeli and Palestinian families deserve to be able to celebrate in peace and security,” he said.
“We are concerned by the violence around Al-Aqsa Mosque during this holy month. We need to see the Israeli government shifting in its approach,” said Trudeau. “We need to see a de-escalation of violence and people should be living in peace and prosperity in the region.”
The U.S. also expressed concern about the ongoing tensions in occupied East Jerusalem and urged “all sides” to exercise restraint, also failing to condemn the violence.
“We remain extremely concerned by the continuing violence, and we urge all sides to avoid further escalation,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters during a news conference.
“It’s imperative, now more than ever, that both Israelis and Palestinians work together to de-escalate this tension and to restore a sense of calm,” he added.
Asked why there was no U.S. condemnation of the Israeli attack on Palestinian worshippers, Kirby responded by saying: “I think we have a very strong track record of speaking out against violence all around the world, and the death and injury caused to people of all faiths. “
