Wed 05 Apr 2023:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “shocked and appalled” by images he saw of Israeli security forces beating people at the Al-Aqsa mosque in the old city of Jerusalem, his spokesman said Wednesday.

Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Guterres viewed images of the “violence and beating” within the holy site and found it more distressing because it came “at a time of a calendar which is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims that should be a time for peace and nonviolence.”

“Places of worship should only be used for peaceful religious observances,” he added.

Israeli forces walk near al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia condemns

In a statement, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “is following with great concern the Israeli occupation forces’ storming of the courtyards of al-Aqsa Mosque, assaulting worshipers, and arresting a number of Palestinian citizens.”

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns this blatant storming and expresses its rejection of these practices that undermine peace efforts and contradict international principles in respect of religious sanctities, reaffirming its firm position in supporting all efforts aimed at ending the occupation and reaching a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause,” the statement added.

White House ‘extremely concerned’

The White House said Wednesday it was “extremely concerned” after clashes inside Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa Mosque compound and urged restraint by both Israelis and Palestinians.

“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.

“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.”

UAE condemns

“The UAE called on Israeli authorities to halt escalation and avoid exacerbating tension and instability in the region,” it said.

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed al-Budaiwi has condemned the “continued storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli occupation forces,” according to a statement by Saudi Press Agency released on Wednesday.

“The continued storming by the occupation forces of Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating its sanctities and attacking its worshippers are considered a serious escalation and it contradicts the international principles and norms in respect of religious sanctities as well as a flagrant violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions,” he added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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