Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday discussed with Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Palestinian Hamas politburo, the continuing tension around the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City and noted that local clashes should not escalate into a large-scale military confrontation.
"During the conversation, the current situation in the area of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict was discussed, focusing on the danger of continued tension around the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem. They noted the unacceptability of violating the status quo of the holy sites, the need to prevent further degradation of the situation and the escalation of local clashes into a large-scale power confrontation," the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Lavrov affirmed that the Russian side would continue its active efforts to establish the Palestinian-Israeli negotiation process on a universally recognized international legal basis. The ultimate goal of the process is to create an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security with Israel, the ministry recalled.
The sides also substantially considered the task of restoring inter-Palestinian unity as soon as possible on the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization, including with the mediation of Russian diplomacy.
The conversation was held at the initiative of the Palestinian side.
The situation in East Jerusalem escalated on 15 April after a group of Jewish pilgrims visited the Temple Mount. Israeli police dispersed Arab protesters and detained dozens of people. The imam of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Akram Sabri, blamed Jewish settlers for the clashes. On Thursday, Israeli security forces re-entered the Islamic shrine and set up checkpoints in the Old City and near the gate leading to the mosque. Ten Arabs were wounded in clashes with police.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS