UN chief calls on Palestinians and Israelis to show ‘maximum restraint’

After a terrorist murdered three family members in their home, preceded by the death of three Arabs who rioted against heightened security in Jerusalem, Guterres “call[ed] on all to refrain from any actions or words that could further escalate an already volatile situation.”

The countries that comprise the international Quartet say they are concerned about “escalating tensions and violent clashes” in and around the Old City of Jerusalem.

Envoys from Russia, the US, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) issued a statement Saturday saying they “strongly condemn acts of terror, express their regret for all loss of innocent life caused by the violence, and hope for a speedy recovery to the wounded.”

They called on all sides to show “maximum restraint, refrain from provocative actions and work towards de-escalating the situation.”

The envoys welcomed assurances by Israel’s prime minister that “the status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem will be upheld and respected.” And they encouraged Israel and Jordan to work together to uphold it.

A 19-year-old Palestinian terrorist stabbed three family members to death Friday evening in the Jewish community of Neve Tsuf (aka Halamish) in Samaria. The vicious murder occurred as the family was enjoying their Shabbat meal and celebrating the birth of a new grandson.

A soldier on home leave who heard the commotion rushed to the scene and shot and wounded the terrorist – Omar al-Abed from the village of Kobar near Ramallah. He was treated for an abdominal wound and then turned over to Israeli security forces.

The victims are Yosef Salomon (70) and his children Chaya Salomon, 46, and Elad Salomon, 36. Yosef’s wife Tova, 68, was seriously wounded and underwent surgery at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

Metal Detectors Installed to Prevent Terror Attacks

In a Facebook post penned a couple of hours before the attack, the Jerusalem Post reported, the terrorist wrote what he said would be his “last words.”

“All that I have is a sharpened knife, and it is answering the call of al-Aqsa. Shame on you [Jews], you who preach hatred. God will take revenge on you and will make it count. All of us are the sons of Palestine and the sons of al-Aqsa. You, sons of monkeys and pigs, if you do not open the gates of al-Aqsa, I am sure that men will follow me and will hit you with an iron fist, I am warning you.”

He was referring to the installation of metal detectors on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem since last Friday’s terror attack that claimed the lives of two Israeli Druze police officers. Palestinian riots had erupted over the new security measures. On Saturday, Israelis were outraged when a Palestinian terrorist stabbed to death three members of an Israeli family at the community of Halamish.

Following the deadly attack in Halamish, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, stated that the UN chief “strongly condemns this evening’s stabbing attack by a Palestinian perpetrator, which resulted in the death of three members of an Israeli family in the Halamish settlement in the occupied West Bank.”

“He conveys his condolences to the bereaved and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” the statement said. “The Secretary-General again calls on all to refrain from any actions or words that could further escalate an already volatile situation.”

Israel said new metal detectors on the Temple Mount are a needed security measure to prevent more attacks. Muslims allege that Israel is trying to expand its control at the Muslim-administered site under the guise of security — a claim Israel denies.

By: World Israel News Staff and AP

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