UN envoy calls for ‘de-escalation’ on Temple Mount

UN peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov says he is “deeply concerned by the recent surge in tensions and violence around the holy esplanade in the Old City of Jerusalem.”

He welcomes “the commitment of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to uphold and respect the status quo at the holy sites,” and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s “firm condemnation of violence, specifically the deadly attack on two Israeli policemen on 14 July.”

He adds: “I hope these affirmations will contribute to resolving the concerns of all parties and put an end to the provocative rhetoric that has added to the escalation over the past week.”

Mladenov calls on “on all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation,” and on “moderate voices to speak up against those who try to fuel tensions.”