UN Security Council to Meet Over Jerusalem Violence

The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting upon the request of Egypt, Sweden and France in order to address the violence that erupted in Jerusalem.

The meeting to be held on Monday, Egyptian and Swedish diplomats said on Saturday, according to Ahram Online.

The clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces erupted after the latter had decided to install metal detectors at the entrances of Haram al-Sharif, also known as Temple Mount, in the Old City.

The meeting will reportedly be held behind closed doors, according to the president of the UN security council for July, the UN mission of China.

“Sweden, Egypt, and France are calling on the UN security council to meet and discuss ways to support de-escalation in Jerusalem,” Sweden’s ambassador to the security council said on Twitter.

Three Israelis were killed by a Palestinian in a stabbing attack in a West Bank Settlement on Friday. Also, three Palestinians were killed and tens were injured on Friday during the clashes with the Israeli security forces.

On Saturday, two Palestinians were killed as the Israeli forces moved to demolish the home of a Palestinian who allegedly stabbed the three killed Israelis.

Egypt, which currently holds the Arab seat in the UN security council, urged Israel to stop violence against Palestinians in Al-Aqsa mosque.

Israel decided to install the metal detectors after Arab-Israeli gunmen had shot two police officers dead.

Palestinians say that East Jerusalem is their city, and they want it to be considered as the first city in the suggested two-state solution. They are accusing Israel of attempting to take over the holy city. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies that Israel is trying to change the status quo at Temple Mount.