The spokesman of the European External Action Service, Peter Stano, called on Wednesday 5 April for the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem to be respected, after a night of violence in the Al-Aqsa compound.
The Israeli police intervened to dislodge Palestinian “outlaws” accused of violence and damage. More than 350 people were reportedly arrested.
“It is extremely important to preserve the historical status quo of the holy sites”, he stressed, noting the EU’s deep concern about the growing tension and violence in the Al Aqsa compound. Mr Stano also condemned in the strongest possible terms the firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza shortly after the police intervention in Al-Aqsa.
The spokesman called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any action that would or could contribute to heightening already high tensions, “especially during this period of religious holidays” - Ramadan and Passover (see EUROPE 13140/6). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)