China decries ‘unrest’ in Jerusalem

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – China on Wednesday decried what it called “unrest” in Jerusalem as tensions mounted across the Palestinian territories after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyard last Friday injuring hundreds of worshippers.

“China is deeply concerned about unrest in Jerusalem,” said Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of China’s Foreign Ministry.

He said Beijing “opposes any unilateral act to change the status quo, and calls for more attention from the international community on tension between Israelis and Palestinians,” Chinese public broadcaster CGTN reported.

On Sunday, more than 700 Israeli settlers forced their way into the mosque complex under heavy police protection to celebrate the week-long Jewish Passover holiday, which started on Friday.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the world's third-holiest site for Muslims. Jews call the area the Temple Mount, saying it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980, in a move never recognized by the international community.

The recurring attacks on Muslim worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan days have caused widespread tension in the Muslim world.

To seek end to hostility towards Muslims in the occupied Palestinian territories, Muslim leaders intensified their diplomatic efforts in recent days.

Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Tuesday evening with his Israeli counterpart Issac Herzog expressed sadness on the early-morning raids launched on the Al-Aqsa Mosque by fanatic groups on Sunday and Monday.

Erdogan repeated his call for “everyone to make the utmost effort to preserve the spirituality and sanctity of this blessed place and these (blessed) days.”