Secretary-General Shocked and Appalled by the Violence and Beating by Israeli Security Forces Inside al-Qibli Mosque in Jerusalem – 05 April 2023 Daily Press Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General – (Excerpts)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC​,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

WEDNESDAY, 5 APRIL 2023

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MIDDLE EAST
Turning to the Middle East, I can tell you that the Secretary-General is shocked and appalled by the images he saw this morning of the violence and beating by Israeli security forces inside the al-Qibli mosque in Jerusalem. At a time of the calendar which is holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims, this should be a time for peace and not violence. Places of worship should only be used for peaceful religious observances.

And you may have seen that we also have a statement by Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, which was issued earlier this morning. He said he too is appalled by the images of violence inside the al-Qibli mosque and disturbed by the apparent beating of Palestinians by Israeli security forces and the large number of arrests.

Mr. Wennesland also strongly rejects the stockpiling and use of fireworks and rocks by Palestinians inside the mosque.

He called on political, religious and community leaders on all sides to reject incitement, inflammatory rhetoric, and provocative actions and added that the UN remains in close contact with all concerned parties to de-escalate the situation.

And on a related note, we and our humanitarian partners stand ready to help ensure the restoration of medical services as soon as possible at the Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount compound. The health clinic at the compound was severely damaged which forced its closure after Israeli forces used it to enter the Al Qibli Mosque in East Jerusalem. That’s based on an initial assessment carried out by our humanitarian colleagues, who spoke with multiple sources at the site, including health care providers and worshippers.

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Questions and Answers

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Question:  But… Okay.  Well, let me give you a question then about Al-Aqsa.  Clearly, the Secretary-General is very unhappy.  You read the statement about what has happened.  But this is a very sensitive time.  There’s a danger that things are going to get much worse.  Is it now time for the Secretary-General to take this on directly?  Is it time for him to pick up the phone to Prime Minister Netanyahu and to express his displeasure about what happened?

Spokesman:  It is indeed a very delicate time, especially given the calendar and the confluence of high holy days for the three religions represented in Jerusalem, and I will keep you up to date on any contacts the Secretary-General has.  Ibtisam Azem, I know your name.  I’m just so slow this morning.

Question:  Alhamdulillah.  Okay.  So, on the same subject, there are relevant Security Council resolutions and the General Assembly.  What does the Secretary-General want from countries to do to implement these resolutions?  Because it’s clear we have been here before.  This is not the first time we see this and it’s constantly happening.  So, what do you want countries to do specifically, and is the Secretary-General or his representative on the ground doing something in this regard too?

Spokesman:  In terms of the immediate situation in the holy sites, it’s very important that the status quo be respected in line with the special role that Jordan has.  It’s important that all those who are directly involved, and all those who have an influence of those are directly involved, use that influence to calm this situation in the immediate.  We’ve also seen the exchange of a fire around the Gaza Strip into Israel.  There are a lot of Member States that have influence in the area.  And it is important that they all use it in the same direction.

Question:  Is the Secretary-General talking with these countries, specifically the US which has the most funds.  If I would follow up on James’ question, is he picking up the phone to talk to the Americans to put more pressures on the Israelis?

Spokesman:  He and his colleagues remain in touch with all relevant parties.  I will brief you on any contacts that I may share with you.

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Question:  Thank you, Stephane.  I want to refer to the statement issued by Tor Wennesland in which he criticized that Palestinians are accumulating fireworks inside the mosque.  Do you think that it’s fair when the worshippers were attacked at 11 p.m.  and mosques in the area started calling for people to help?  Some people came with these fireworks from outside to help those who are trapped inside.  Four hundred were arrested outside.

Spokesman:  Abdelhamid, I’m not here to analyse or answer statements that have been made by representatives of the Secretary-General.  Those words are in black and white.  They’re on paper.  My job is to refer to them, amplify them.  Your responsibility as a journalist is to write about them, comment them, analyse them and parse them, criticize them or support them, but we have different responsibilities.

Question:  But, my question:  is that a fair description of the situation?

Spokesman:  That’s exactly what I’m saying.  You answer that question yourself.  Mr. Wennesland spoke on behalf of the Secretary-General.  He’s his representative on the ground.  He says what he has to say.  People can like it.  People cannot like it.  People can feel nothing.  But, my job is not to be analyst of what I say, so to speak.

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For information media. Not an official record.