BEIJING: China on Monday expressed concern over the escalating tension between Palestinians and Israeli police at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
China has been following closely with concern the escalating tension between Palestine and Israel in Jerusalem, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing here.
He said that the issue of Jerusalem’s status and ownership was complicated and sensitive and hoped that the parties concerned would act in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions, maintain and respect the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem, stay calm and exercise restraint, and prevent the situation from deteriorating or even getting out of control. Wang Wenbin said that the escalating Palestine-Israel situation once again reminds us that the Palestine question should not be marginalized. He said that the international community, major countries in particular, should look squarely at the crux of the Palestine question and on the basis of the two-state solution, facilitate the early resumption of peace talks between Palestine and Israel to realize peaceful coexistence. China will continue to play a constructive role in this effort, he added. China’s firm opposition comes days after hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on April 15, leaving at least 152 people injured.
Pakistan on Friday had strongly condemned the Israeli forces’ aggression at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that is an egregious violation of human rights laws durin g the holy month of Ramazan.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson expressed grave concern over the escalation of violence by Israeli forces in various parts of occupied Palestine. “This highly condemnable assault on worshippers, especially during the holy month of Ramazan, is an egregious violation of all humanitarian norms and human rights laws,” read a statement. .
Reiterating Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestine’s cause, the spokesperson urged for a two-state solution in the light of the United Nations and OIC resolutions. “Pakistan reaffirms its consistent and unstinted support for the Palestinian cause.
We support the Palestinian people for the realization of their right to self-determination and other fundamental rights as well as a two-State solution, in accordance with relevant UN and OIC resolutions, with the pre-1967 borders and Al Quds Al Sharif as the capital of a viable, independent and contiguous Palestinian State,” read the statement.
In the series of condemnation poured-in from around the world, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday had told his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas that he condemned Israeli “intervention on worshippers” at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque and threats to its “status or spirit”. –Agencies
