UN: Israel-Palestinian clashes a threat beyond Jerusalem

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UN: Israel-Palestinian clashes a threat beyond Jerusalem
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N.'s Mideast envoy warned Tuesday that clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in and around Jerusalem's holy sites have the potential to ignite violence well beyond the walls of its old city, pointing to "a vicious tide of terror and extremism" in the region.

Nikolay Mladenov urged all parties to refrain from "provocative actions and rhetoric" and called on political, community and religious leaders to ensure that visitors and worshippers "demonstrate restraint and respect for the sanctity of the area."

He told the U.N. Security Council by video link Tuesday that the clashes followed "sweeping restrictions" that Israel imposed on entry to Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site, the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, on Aug. 26. Since then, he said, Israel has banned members of Muslim and Jewish groups considered to be extremist.

"These latest incidents have echoed widely and have been condemned across the Muslim world and beyond," Mladenov said.

"It is imperative that the historic status quo is preserved" in line with agreements between Israel and Jordan's King Abdullah II, who is custodian of the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, he said.

Mladenov noted that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government "will use all means to maintain the status quo and law and order on the compound."

Against this backdrop, Mladenov said, "frustration, fear and violence have continued to spiral, undermining belief in finding a way out of the impasse."

He said "bold, concrete actions" are needed on the ground, in the region and internationally to reach a two-state solution.

This must include "significant policy shifts by Israel" and "an unflinching commitment on the Palestinian side to achieving genuine national unity," he said.

Mladenov said the Quartet of Mideast mediators — the U.N., U.S., European Union and Russia — and key Arab nations will meet Sept. 30 on the sidelines of the General Assembly's annual ministerial meeting to discuss how to link regional and international efforts to create conditions for a return to "meaningful negotiations."

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told reporters the Palestinians want a time frame for talks and ending Israel's occupation.

He ruled out the previous practice of U.S.-brokered negotiations with Israel, saying a larger group will have "better atmosphere for increasing the chance for success." He pointed to the six-party talks that led to the Iran nuclear deal and the collective process that has tried, so far unsuccessfully, to get the government and rebels in Syria to peace negotiations in Geneva as examples.

Mansour called the situation at the holy sites in Jerusalem "extremely dangerous," accusing Israeli extremists of trying to have a Jewish presence at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

He warned that Israeli actions could trigger religious confrontation over the holy sites, adding that this would be the dream of the Islamic State extremist group and would have "ramifications that will affect all corners of the Middle East and beyond."

To stop further escalation, Mansour urged the Security Council to address the "explosive situation."


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-16

[ezzra]

There's nothing new under the sun here, there have been many clashes before and there will be many more,

this is the nature of the beast, no one wants peace there as there are so many hands that spoils the broth

and so many parties with vested interests that the situation will remain the way it is, so any more comments

on the situation be it in favour or against are like a fart in the wind, smells bad for a moment and than gone...

[Seastallion]

"Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, told reporters the Palestinians want a time frame for talks and ending Israel's occupation.

He ruled out the previous practice of U.S.-brokered negotiations with Israel, saying a larger group (the Mideast Quartet) will have "better atmosphere for increasing the chance for success." "

Well, yeah, duh. You're never going to get a fair deal if the mediator is biased and has vested interests in one side. In fact, vested interest in no peace.

[NeverSure]

There's never going to be a brokered peace. This is the flash point. This is about the Temple Mount in Old Jerusalem.

This Temple Mount held the ancient Jewish Temple which housed the Ark of the Covenant - "The Lost Ark". The Romans tore that temple down in the first century AD, and the Muslims built a mosque on that Mount five or six hundred years later.

This is perhaps the holiest site in Judaism and one of them in Islam.

The Jews will never give up Old Jerusalem which holds many historical Jewish sites. It ain't gonna happen. They have been sharing it but the Muslims don't share.

When the spinners use the words "West Bank" they really mean Old Jerusalem and what they really mean is this Jewish Temple Mount.

[ABCer]

There is considerable part of Israel's fault in continuation of hostilities on any of Israeli territory IMHO.

My sympathy is on Israel's side. But the very fact of Israel 'negotiating' with Palestinian Arabs is fueling the hostilities.

This is the Middle East, Arabs and Muslims we are talking about.

Any negotiations by Israelis are seen as a weakness point.

Any solutions in the East are only accepted from the position of force. Historically speaking.

Israel had won more than once. Yet it adopts the policy of "Peace for Land". Stupid IMHO.

Because it only encourages the further fighting against it.

Israel's Lefties and Liberals push for Peace through giving in and negotiations. They will only get war again but in weakened position. This is not the "Road to Peace".

Giving up Sinai was a mistake. Leaving Gaza was a mistake. Talks of two separate States is a mistake. Why not hand over Golan to whoever will take it in the name of Syria? For a piece of paper of course.

There should be only one country with cultural, judicial and economic autonomy for non-Jews.

And this one country, Israel, must be always strong and ready for war! And win or perish.

And by the way I'm not sure how many Arabs would choose against autonomy.

Because if I were an Arab in Israel I wouldn't volunteer living under Hamas rule. Arabs are not that stupid except for when their brains have been flushed.

Edited September 16, 2015 by ABCer