A+ A-

France urges easing of tensions in Jerusalem after Israeli back-down

PARIS, July 27 (KUNA) -- France on Thursday urged all parties involved in the dispute over the Al-Aqsa complex in Jerusalem to act responsibly and refrain from stoking more tensions in the city after Israel backed down on severe security measures it was seeking to install there, a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Israel provoked a widespread protest which led to violent clashes for almost two weeks around Al-Aqsa after the Israeli authorities installed electronic metal detector gates at access points to the revered Muslim prayer site.
Over a dozen people were killed on both sides after the clashes erupted and a number of Palestinians were shot by Israeli live fire.
The Palestinian Authority broke off all contacts with Israel because of its action at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, including the imposition of draconian restrictions on Muslims seeking to attend Friday prayer there.
Israel has subsequently rescinded the order to install the electronic metal detector gates at the entrance to the complex and France said: "hopes the measures taken these past days by the Israeli authorities" would ease tensions, the statement said.
France also said it hoped the calls of Muslim religious authorities to return to pray in the mosque "would open the way to easing the situation in the occupied part of Jerusalem." Paris has several times warned Israel about seeking to modify the "status quo" in the holy city, cautioning this would lead to major instability. (end) jk.msa