Paris, 02/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - Sunday evening, the French Presidency published on behalf of the European Union a declaration in which it expresses its strong concern for the acts of violence that have lead to the death, in three days, of thirty five Palestinians or Arab Israelis, as well as many wounded. Serious incidents that bloodied the Esplanade of the Mosque in Jerusalem, the 28 and 29 September, had been provoked by the visit made to this sacred Islamic site by Ariel Sharon, leader of the Israeli right. Below is the Presidency's declaration:
"The European Union is very preoccupied by the continuation of the bloody battles in Jerusalem and in the territories, and is shocked by the number of victims. These events show the extent to which a provocation occurring in a tense context may have tragic consequences. The EU calls on the leaders of the two parties to take the necessary measures to stop the violence and prevent new provocations. It warns against the unjustified use of force. It invites the parties to once more concentrate on the search for a negotiated peace, needed more then ever".