European countries call for end to Jerusalem violence at UN Security Council

Five European countries called Tuesday for an end to clashes in Jerusalem following a weekend of violence surrounding a holy site, in a joint statement issued after an emergency closed-door UN Security Council session.

China and the United Arab Emirates did not join the statement, despite being among the countries that called the meeting.

“Violence needs to stop immediately. Further civilian casualties must be prevented as a priority,” the statement by Ireland, France, Estonia, Norway and Albania said.

“The status quo of the holy sites must be fully respected.”

The meeting comes after days of violence in and around Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, where 170 people were left wounded at the weekend.