On Monday, discussions were held between European Council chief Charles Michel and Jordan’s King Abdullah II about the deteriorating security situation in the occupied West Bank.
Michel said on Twitter that the two spoke about “the importance of preserving the status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem.”
He further stated that the leaders agreed that the “deteriorating security situation highlights the need to restore a political horizon for a credible peace process.”
He added that they also voiced full support for “efforts with all partners to reduce tensions and de-escalate.”
As Israeli forces have carried out arrests and military raids following a series of attacks in Israel over past weeks, tensions have risen across the occupied West Bank and Palestinian territories.
Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex and clashed with worshippers on Friday, injuring hundreds of people.
In order to celebrate the week-long Jewish Passover holiday, which started on Friday, more than 700 Israeli settlers forced their way into the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on Sunday under heavy police protection.
Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world’s third-holiest site for Muslims. Claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times, Jews call the area the “Temple Mount.”
The West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is seen as occupied territory under international law, thus making all Jewish settlements there illegal.
