Measures to calm Aqsa tensions agreed: Kerry

Agencies/AmmanUS Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday that Israel has agreed on steps to calm tensions over Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque, at the centre of Palestinian unrest, including 24-hour security cameras. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to announce details of the measures, Kerry said after meetings in Amman with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. He said Netanyahu had agreed to “an excellent suggestion by King Abdullah”, custodian of the Al Aqsa mosque compound in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem, “to provide 24-hour video coverage of all sites” in the compound, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. “This will provide comprehensive visibility and transparency and that could really be a game changer in discouraging anybody from disturbing the sanctity of the holy site,” he said. Kerry, who met Netanyahu in Berlin on Thursday, also said the Israeli leader had “reaffirmed Israel’s commitment” to upholding the status quo at the mosque compound under which Jews are allowed to visit but not pray. “We are all deeply concerned about the recent violence in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, and especially in Jerusalem,” Kerry said, calling for an end to violence and incitement to violence. “Leaders must lead, and it is important to stop the back-and-forth of language that gives anybody an excuse to somehow be misinterpreted or misguided into believing that violence becomes a viable option. It is not a viable option. Diplomacy and negotiation are the viable road ahead.” Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said the Israelis and Palestinians must address the dispute over the holy site that has sparked the tensions. “I appreciate very much this affirmation of Israel’s commitment to the unchanged status quo in word and in practice,” he said, noting that video surveillance would make a difference at the site. “Jordan not only supports but demands that there’s an immediate restoration of calm and an end to all violence and provocative actions.” From Amman, Kerry travelled on to Riyadh for a meeting with Saudi King Salman expected to focus on the Syrian conflict. Tensions over Al Aqsa have sparked a recent wave of violence that has seen knife and gun attacks against Israelis, as well as clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces. The talks in Amman came as a Palestinian tried yesterday to stab an Israeli security guard in the West Bank and was killed, according to police. On Friday, more than 80 people were wounded in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. Netanyahu has repeatedly accused Abbas of fanning the flames by suggesting Israel wants to change the status quo at the Al Aqsa site, which Jews refer to as Temple Mount. The international community is seeking a halt to the violence that many fear heralds a third Palestinian Intifada, or uprising. Since the start of this month, 52 Palestinians and one Israeli Arab have died in clashes or while carrying out attacks, including a Palestinian who died yesterday of his injuries.