The EU has condemned the upsurge in violence in the Middle East and called on all sides to show restraint
The European Union condemns the surge in violence in the Middle East and calls on all sides to show restraint and prevent the conflict from escalating, European diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said.
“The EU calls for an immediate end to the violence. Everything necessary must be done to prevent the conflict from escalating. We call on all sides to show maximum restraint in order to avoid further escalation and to contribute to the establishment of a calm environment during the religious holidays,” Borrel said in a written statement.
Brussels has condemned the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv that killed an Italian tourist. The EU recalled, however, that the surge in violence followed events in Jerusalem, where Israel used force against Palestinians outside the Al-Aqsa mosque. “The EU condemns incidents of violence in holy sites in Jerusalem, reminding that the status quo of holy sites must be preserved,” Borrell said.
As Palestinian media previously reported, dozens of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli security forces near the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Israeli police said they detained 350 people following the al-Aqsa raid. Israel’s actions have already been condemned by Jordan and Egypt. Israeli fighter jets and tanks struck Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight in response to rockets launched into Jewish territory, the Israeli army spokesman’s office said earlier. Israel also carried out strikes in southern Lebanon.
“We also condemn Israel’s indiscriminate rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. We unequivocally condemn the terrorist attack that killed two Israelis and seriously injured one. Israel has a right to defend itself. At the same time, any response must be proportionate,” the EU diplomatic chief said in a statement.
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