World reacts as Jerusalem tensions escalate

More than 200 wounded in Al-Aqsa amid growing anger over Israeli plans to evict Palestinian families from occupied East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah.

More than 200 people, mostly Palestinians, were wounded late on Friday outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem as Israeli police fired rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades towards rock-hurling Palestinians.

Tens of thousands of worshippers had earlier packed Islam’s third-holiest site on the final Friday of Ramadan and many stayed on to protest against Israeli plans to evict Palestinian families from their homes on land claimed by Jewish settlers in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

Palestinians have staged a series of sit-ins in the area in recent days denouncing Israeli orders for them to vacate their homes. Israeli security forces have attacked the sit-ins using skunk water, tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and shock grenades. Dozens of Palestinians have been arrested.

Here is how countries and the international community have so far reacted to the events at Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah:

United Nations

The UN’s rights office urged Israel to call off any forced evictions and warned its actions could amount to “war crimes”.

“We wish to emphasise that East Jerusalem remains part of the occupied Palestinian territory, in which international humanitarian law applies,” spokesman Rupert Colville said. “The occupying power … cannot confiscate private property in occupied territory.”

Transferring civilian populations into occupied territory is illegal under international law and “may amount to war crimes”, he added.

European Union

The European Union condemned the violence at the compound and urged authorities to quickly calm tensions.

“Violence and incitement are unacceptable and the perpetrators on all sides must be held accountable,” a spokesman said in a statement. “The European Union calls on the authorities to act urgently to de-escalate the current tensions in Jerusalem.”

The statement added that “acts of incitement around the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif must be avoided and the status quo has to be respected”, using another term for the key religious site.

Iraq

Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israeli forces, confirming that the government stands in solidarity with the people of Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

“Iraqi government condemns the Israeli forces storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque, practising intimidation and spreading terror among the Palestinian worshipers”, in a ministry statement obtained by Al-Ghadeer.

Adding, “We affirm the solidarity of the Iraqi people and government with the people of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, as we demand an end to hostile attacks on the citizens; We renew our firm and principled position on the Palestinian cause, which was and is still a pivotal issue.”

Iran

The foreign ministry of Iran called on the UN to condemn the bloody Israeli police action in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, saying it amounted to a “war crime”.

Iran “condemns the attack on Al-Aqsa mosque … by the Quds [Jerusalem] occupier regime’s military”, foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said in a statement.

“This war crime once again proved to the world the criminal nature of the illegitimate Zionist regime,” he said, adding that Iran called on “the United Nations and other related international institutions to act on their definite duty to confront this war crime”.

United States

The United States said it was “deeply concerned” about the events and called on all sides to work to de-escalate them. It also expressed concern about the evictions.

“It’s critical to avoid unilateral steps that would exacerbate tensions or take us further away from peace. And that would include evictions, settlement activity, and home demolitions,” US State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter told reporters in Washington.

Turkey

Turkey criticised Israel and accused it of unleashing “terror” on Palestinians after Israeli police fired rubber-coated rounds and stun grenades.

Several Turkish officials criticised Israel and called for other countries to voice condemnation, while a foreign ministry statement urged Israel to “immediately end its provocative and hostile stance and act with reason”.

“Shame on Israel and those who keep silent in the face of disgraceful attacks,” Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said. “We call on everyone to stand up against the policies of occupation and aggression of this apartheid state.”

Turkey’s communications director, Fahrettin Altun, told state television Israel was violating human rights and would “pay the price” as opposition parties echoed the government condemnation in a rare sign of unity.

“Attacking innocent people praying is clearly terror,” Altun said. “We see that these attacks on Palestinians are against the most fundamental human rights.”

Pakistan

Pakistan “strongly” condemned the “attacks on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa mosque by Israeli occupation forces”.

Such attacks, particularly during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, are against all humanitarian norms and human rights laws, said a statement by the foreign ministry.

“We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured, reiterate our steadfast support to the Palestinian cause, and once again urge the international community to take prompt action to protect the Palestinian people,” it said.