(VOVWORLD) - United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov warned on Monday that a solution to the East Jerusalem crisis is needed by Friday to avoid an escalation of violence.
 Palestinians take part in evening prayers inside Jerusalem's Old City, next to the Lion's Gate, July 24, 2017 (Ammar Awad) |
He called on all parties to refrain from provocations, to exercise restraint, and to work together to seek a solution. The warning came after an emergency UN meeting requested by Egypt, France, and Sweden. Mladenov asked Security Council Members to use their influence with Israel and Palestine to ease tensions. He said it is critically important that the status quo be preserved in Jerusalem.
Violence between Palestinians and Israeli police escalated when Israeli police officers killed three Palestinian protestors at the al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem on Friday, while three Israelis were stabbed to death in a West Bank settlement over Israel’s controversial security measures at the mosque.