Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed his shock and condemnation at the scenes of violence and beatings by the Israeli security forces inside Al-Qibli Mosque (Al-Aqsa Mosque) in Jerusalem. The office of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People condemned the violence against Palestinian worshipers. According to the United Nations newsletter, a copy of which we received via e-mail.

"In this sacred period for Jews, Christians and Muslims, this must be a time of peace, not violence," said the spokesman for the Secretary-General. He added that places of worship should only be used for peaceful religious services.

Middle East peace process coordinator
In a separate statement, Tor Winsland, United Nations Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, condemned the scenes of violence inside the Al-Qibli Mosque in Jerusalem. He expressed his concern about the Israeli security forces' beating of Palestinians and the arrest of a large number of them. The storage and use of fireworks and stones by Palestinians inside the mosque are also strongly rejected.

This sacred period and places of worship should be for safe and peaceful religious meditation, Wensland said.

He noted that nearly 600,000 people have visited the holy sites in Jerusalem since the beginning of Ramadan. He called on political, religious and societal leaders from all sides to reject incitement, inflammatory rhetoric and provocative actions.

In his statement, Wensland emphasized the necessity of preserving the existing historical status of the holy places in line with the special guardianship role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He stated that the role of the (endowment) is important and must be enabled to perform its vital duties.

The UN Special Coordinator said that leaders on all sides must act responsibly and refrain from steps that lead to an escalation of tensions. He added that the indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza is unacceptable and must stop.

Tor Wiensland confirmed that the United Nations continues to communicate closely with all concerned parties to calm the situation.

The inalienable rights of the Palestinian people
The Office of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People condemned “the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Haram Al-Sharif complex by Israeli forces on April 4, which resulted in hundreds of Palestinian worshipers being beaten, injured and arrested, and also damaging the heart of the mosque building.”

In a press release, the office denounced this violence in particular as it occurred during a period of heightened religious sensitivity with the celebration of Ramadan, Easter and Easter.

The office said, "Israel's illegal policies and practices continue to consolidate its illegal occupation of the Palestinian land it has occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, in addition to the severe isolation imposed on the Gaza Strip, which has been under siege for nearly 16 years."

Since the beginning of the year, Israel has increased its military operations inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, killing at least 95 Palestinians, including 17 children, the office of the UN General Assembly committee said. The office called for ensuring accountability for all such violations.

The office reiterated its calls for respect for international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including humanitarian law and human rights law. He stressed that Israel must comply with its international legal obligations in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

The office also renewed its calls to respect the historical status quo of the holy sites, to respect the sanctity of all places of worship, and to stop provocations by Israeli forces and "the incitement of extremist Israeli settlers in and around those places." The office called for respect for the freedom of all worshipers to access religious places in accordance with applicable standards.

The office called on the leaders to exercise their influence and ensure de-escalation and calm during the religious celebrations. He stressed that a just and lasting peace will only be achieved by ending the Israeli occupation, realizing the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including the Palestinian refugees, and achieving the two-state solution in accordance with international law and previous agreements, leading to the independence of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.