Jokowi Urges UN Security Council to Discuss Tensions and Violence in Jerusalem
Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo condemned new Israeli security measures at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in East Jerusalem following the deaths of three Palestinians during mass protests on Saturday (22/07).
In a statement issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Jokowi urges for an immediate meeting by members of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the escalating crisis.
Last Sunday, Israel started implementing new security measures at the entrance points to the mosque complex, including checkpoints with metal detectors, after citizens of Palestinian origin killed two Israeli policemen.
Al Aqsa Mosque is believed to be the third-holiest site for Sunni Muslims, after the cities of Mecca and Medina. Its wider compound, known as the Noble Sanctuary of Jerusalem, is one of the world's most important religious sites, venerated by Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In response to the security measures, Palestinians rallied after the Muslim Friday prayers, protesting the new measures, including the barring of Muslim men under the age of 50.
According to reports by Al Jazeera, at least 140 Palestinians have been injured and around 3,000 Israeli police and border police officers have been deployed to the area.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi spoke on the phone with United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday to discuss the increasing violence and clashes.
"Indonesia is asking the United States to urge Israel to revoke the new security measures and put a stop to the violence at Al Aqsa Mosque," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The call for an immediate meeting also came from the envoys of the Middle East Quartet comprising of the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia, who encouraged "Israel and Jordan to work together to uphold the status quo" at the holy site.
Jordan has a special role as custodian of the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
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