NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “shocked and appalled” by the violence inflicted by Israeli security forces on worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, according to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Guterres viewed the images of the violence and beating inside the holy site, which is holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and expressed his dismay, especially as it occurred during a time of a calendar that should be peaceful and non-violent.
Dujarric emphasized that places of worship should only be used for peaceful religious observances.
The White House also expressed concern over the Al-Aqsa mosque’s clashes, urging Israelis and Palestinians to exercise restraint.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the continuing violence was “extremely concerning,” and called on both sides to work together to de-escalate the tension and restore calm.
Al-Aqsa Mosque compound violence
The clashes occurred on Monday, the first day of Ramadan, as Israeli police faced off with Palestinian protesters at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The violence erupted after Israeli authorities barred Palestinian worshippers from gathering at the site, citing security concerns.
The move sparked anger among Palestinians, who see it as an attempt to erode their access to the holy site.
The Al-Aqsa Mosque is one of the holiest sites in Islam, located on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Jews also revere it as the site of the Second Temple, which the Romans destroyed in AD 70.
The site has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Palestinians accusing Israel of trying to change the status quo and impose control over the site.
The latest clashes have heightened tensions in Jerusalem, which is already on edge due to a long-running legal battle over the eviction of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
The situation has also drawn international attention, with the UN and the US expressing concern over the escalating violence and urging all sides to avoid further escalation.
Clashes erupted between Israeli police and Palestinians inside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque on Wednesday, leading to an exchange of rockets and air strikes.
The police had entered the mosque to remove “law-breaking youths and masked agitators” who had barricaded themselves inside.
The raid resulted in over 350 arrests and was widely condemned by Muslim countries and other nations. The UN Middle East peace envoy urged leaders on both sides to act responsibly, and the US called for restraint and de-escalation.
Rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, prompting retaliatory air strikes. The mosque is Islam’s third holiest site and has been a frequent flashpoint, particularly during Ramadan. The clashes in May 2021 at the same site led to the latest Gaza war that raged for 11 days.
