Pope calls for ‘moderation’ after deadly violence in Jerusalem, West Bank

Without apportioning blame, pontiff says he is following ‘with trepidation the grave tensions and violence’

Pope Francis recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, July 23, 2017. (AP/Andrew Medichini)
Pope Francis recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, July 23, 2017. (AP/Andrew Medichini)

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has appealed for moderation after the deadly violence over the Temple Mount.

Francis told faithful Sunday in St. Peter’s Square that he was following “with trepidation the grave tensions and violence” unleashed at the contested shrine.

Francis said: “I feel the need to express a distressed appeal for moderation and dialogue.” He invited others to pray with him so people would aim for reconciliation and peace.

Israel installed upgraded security, including metal detectors and cameras at the entrances to the holy site, following a deadly terror attack on July 14 in which three Arab terrorists emerged from the compound and shot dead two Israeli police officers, having earlier stashed their weapons at the site.

Most worshipers since have refused to go through metal detectors, installed in the wake of the attack, at the site known as the Temple Mount to Jews and Haram Al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) to Muslims. Clashes with police in and around Jerusalem have been intensifying daily, with five Palestinians killed on Friday and Saturday, including one who died when a Molotov cocktail he was about to throw caught fire prematurely.

On Friday night, a Palestinian terrorist stabbed to death three Israelis at their Shabbat dinner table in the West Bank settlement of Halamish.

Israel Police overnight Saturday-Sunday installed new surveillance cameras near the Lions Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, the main access point for Muslim worshipers to the adjacent Temple Mount compound.

A police spokesperson said that the force was continuing to update security measures around the Temple Mount and in the Old City, but would not give any further specific details.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

Most Popular
read more: