Diplomacy tries to prevent escalation of violence in Jerusalem

At the height of tension between Israelis and Palestinians, diplomatic activities by neighboring countries and even the United States have intensified in recent days to prevent another escalation of violence in Jerusalem, where dissension has taken place on the Esplanade of the Mosques.

At the initiative of Jordan, the foreign ministers – including the Palestinians – of the Arab Regional Committee met today in Amman to address the situation on the grounds of the Al Aqsa mosque; while the Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapidmet with a delegation from the US State Department.

Arab ministers have warned that “such attacks and violations blatant provocation for the feelings of Muslims,” ​​which “threatens to start a new cycle of violence,” as happened last May, when an 11-day escalation of war between Israel and Palestinian Islamist militias erupted in Gaza.

For his part, Lapid, in his meeting with State Department officials, pointed out that Israel “is dealing with the” extremist Islamic terror whose aim is to sow violence, fear and chaos”; he has urged regional leaders to “act responsibly to calm the situation” and urged his government to do everything possible to reverse the status quo to keep that holy place.

Hamas leader Ismael Haniyehalso had a telephone conversation with the Russian Foreign Minister today, Sergei Lavrovin which they emphasized the “impermissibility of violating the status quo of the holy places, the need to prevent further deterioration of the situation and that the clashes lead to a large-scale military confrontation.”

Status quo of the Esplanade

Under this status quo, in effect since 1967, Jordan guards the Esplanade of the Mosques, where worship is reserved for Muslims only; while Jews can only enter as visitors and pray at the nearby Wailing Wall.

However, more and more Jewish settlers are sneaking secretly to pray in the area where the Second Temple is said to have stood, something seen by the Arab world and Palestinians as a provocation, for whom Al Aqsa is part of their national identity, and especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Jewish visits and police charges have led to condemnation from the Arab world and Gaza militias, who have warned it is a red line and fired rockets from the Strip on Israeli soil for two nights in a row, to which Israel has responded with bombing attacks. on Hamas military targets.