UN council members express alarm over Jerusalem violence

US did not want the 15-nation body to issue a formal statement on the violence at this stage

Firefighters and security forces inspect damage at a house in Yehud, near Tel Aviv, after rockets were launched towards Israel from the Gaza Strip. Hamas said on May 12, 2021, it had fired more than 200 rockets into Israel in retaliation for strikes on a tower block in Gaza. AFP

Rescuers move Israelis from their homes in Yehud, near Tel Aviv, after rockets were launched towards Israel from the Gaza Strip. AFP

Sirens blared across Israeli coastal cities and people were moved as a barrage of rockets was launched from Gaza. AFP

An Israeli security officer inspects damage at a house in Yehud. AFP

A member of the Israeli security forces stationed in Lod, near Tel Aviv. AFP

Israeli security forces stationed on a street in Lod. AFP

Rockets are launched from Gaza city towards Tel Aviv. AFP

Smoke rises from a burning building, after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza. Reuters

Smoke billows from buildings hit during the Israeli air strikes on Gaza. AFP

Fire engulfs a building hit during an Israeli air strike in Gaza on May 11, 2021. AFP

Smoke rises from buildings hit during an Israeli air strike in Gaza city. AFP

A crowd gathers at the site of a collapsed building in the aftermath of Israeli air strikes on Gaza on May 11, 2021. AFP

A burnt car and trees in Holon, near Tel Aviv. AFP

The debris of a house in Ashkelon, Israel, following a rocket strike that killed a 29-year-old Indian caregiver. Rosie Scammell / The National

Two people were reported killed in rocket strikes on Ashkelon. Rosie Scammell / The National

An Israeli police officer holds his weapon as he stands in front of an injured driver moments after witnesses said his car crashed into a Palestinian on a pavement during clashes near Lion's Gate, outside Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters

Palestinians gather behind a barricade amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP

Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. AP Photo

Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City. AP Photo

A camera operator falls as an Israeli police officer runs after him during clashes with Palestinians at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters

Palestinian medics carry a wounded protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP

A Palestinian man helps a wounded protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021. AFP

Palestinians run for cover during clashes with Israeli police at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters

Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP

Israeli police take position during clashes with Palestinians at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters

Israeli security forces storm Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021. AFP

Palestinians carry a wounded protester at the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, on Monday, May 10, 2021. AP

Israeli police stand in front of the Dome of the Rock during clashes with Palestinians at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters

Palestinian medics carry a wounded protester at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP

Palestinians rescue a wounded protester at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP

Palestinian protesters flee attack by Israeli security forces in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP

Israeli security forces detain a Palestinian protester amid clashes in Jerusalem's Old City on May 10, 2021. AFP

Israeli security forces storm Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound on May 10, 2021. AFP

A Palestinian protester stands atop Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on May 10, 2021. AFP

A wounded Palestinian is carried during clashes with Israeli police at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque. Reuters

A Palestinian gestures as he confronts Israeli police during clashes at the compound that houses Al Aqsa Mosque on May 10. Reuters

Latest: Arab League to meet on Jerusalem after night of rockets and air strikes

Amid renewed violence involving Israeli police and Palestinian protesters at Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Monday, UN Security Council members met for emergency talks.

Council members heard from Tor Wennesland, the UN’s envoy on the stalled Middle East peace process, in private online talks aimed at easing tension in Jerusalem and bringing the chaos under control.

The 15-nation body discussed a statement, drafted by Norway, that called for a halt to Israeli settlement-building, evictions and demolitions and referred to the long-standing goal of a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict.

But the council did not issue a formal statement at the talks, with diplomats saying the US saw public comments as counterproductive. Individual members did, however, release calls for an end to the violence.

Zhang Jun, the UN ambassador for China, which this month holds the council's rotating presidency, was "deeply concerned" by "disturbing" violence involving police and civilians in East Jerusalem, China's mission said in a statement.

“China condemns the violence against civilians, calls on all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from provocative actions and rhetoric and encourages immediate actions towards de-escalation,” said the statement.

“Israeli authorities should take necessary measures to prevent violence, threats and provocations against Muslim worshippers.”

Mr Zhang also criticised the “looming eviction” of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods to make way for Jewish settlers, a focal point for Palestinian anger.

“China urges Israel to cease demolitions, evictions and all settlement activities, in line with its obligations,” the statement added.

Vietnam, a non-permanent council member, posted similar comments on social media.

Ireland, one of several council members that had called for the talks, said on Twitter it was “deeply concerned about clashes and escalating violence" and urged “leaders on all sides to stand against violence” and to ease tension.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Sunday called for Israel to “cease demolitions and evictions” and for Israeli security forces to “exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly”.

“All leaders have a responsibility to act against extremists and to speak out against all acts of violence and incitement,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday called on all parties to de-escalate tension in Jerusalem and urged practical steps towards that end.

“We are very focused on the situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. We are very deeply concerned about the rocket attacks that we are seeing now that need to stop and need to stop immediately,” Mr Blinken said.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington was also “deeply concerned” about the potential eviction of the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

In a call with his Israeli counterpart, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the situation in Jerusalem, including the potential evictions.

US President Joe Biden has not yet commented on the crisis.

Pro-Palestine protests across the Middle East - in pictures

Players of Chile's Club Deportivo Palestino wear keffiyeh, to show support for the Palestinian people, before their match against Colo Colo in Santiago. EPA

Club Deportivo Palestino players walk onto the pitch while wearing keffiyeh at the Monumental David Arellano Stadium, in Santiago. EPA

Palestinians in the West Bank city of Hebron protest in solidarity with Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. EPA

Protesters with Palestinian flags shout slogans against Israel during a demonstration in front of the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. EPA

Protesters carry Palestinian and Lebanese flags during a protest to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. EPA

A protester chants slogans during a sit-in in support of Palestinians at Martyrs' Square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. AP

Protesters shout slogans and wave a flag during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians, in Rabat, Morocco. AP

Security forces disperse a protest in solidarity with Palestinians held in front of the Parliament building in Rabat, Morocco. EPA

Moroccan people protest in solidarity with Palestinians in front of the parliament building in Rabat. EPA

Jordanians protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people near the Israeli embassy in the capital Amman. AFP

People protest near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan. Reuters

Police officers restrain a protester during a demonstration in solidarity with the Palestinian people, near the Israeli embassy in Jordan's capital Amman. AFP

Jordanians demonstrate to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, near the Israeli embassy in Amman. Reuters

A man holds a sign during a protest to express solidarity with the Palestinian people near the Israeli embassy in Jordan's capital Amman. AFP

Palestinians demonstrate in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian families facing Israeli eviction orders in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. AFP

Palestinian protesters burn tyres during an anti-Israel demonstration over rising tension in Jerusalem, near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP

Palestinian protesters march during an anti-Israel demonstration over rising tension in Jerusalem, near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP

Palestinians protest in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, in solidarity with Palestinian families facing Israeli eviction orders in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. AFP

Demonstrators wave Turkish and Palestinian flags during a protest against Israel near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against Israel near the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters

A protester holds a poster of Al Aqsa Mosque during a demonstration against Israel in front of the Israeli Consulate in Istanbul. AFP

Palestinians gather at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound, ahead of a planned march to commemorate Israel's takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. AFP

A Palestinian protester stands atop Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, hours before a planned march to commemorate Israel's takeover of Jerusalem in the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. AFP

A Palestinian man helps a wounded fellow protester amid clashes with Israeli security forces at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque compound. AFP

Demonstrators carry a banner that reads: "Save the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, Freedom for Palestine," at a protest in Beirut, Lebanon. Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah, in East Jerusalem, face eviction. AP Photo

Demonstrators chant slogans and fly the flag of Palestine during a protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Kuwait City, Kuwait. AFP

Protesters hold up signs expressing their solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Kuwait City, Kuwait. AFP

Protesters in Kuwait City fly the flag of Palestine and hold up placards showing their support for the Palestinian people. AFP

The flag of Palestine is reflected in the sunglasses of a protester at Irada Square, outside the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait. EPA

Protesters wearing coronavirus masks emblazoned with the flag of Palestine gather at Irada Square, outside the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait. EPA