RAMALLAH, August 18, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) warned on Friday that Israeli targeting of Muslim and Christian holy places generates instability and violence.

Reacting to Israel‘s short-lived closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, a Muslim place of worship, on Friday afternoon and its attacks on worshipers, PLO Executive Committee Member Hanan Ashrawi strongly denounced the Israeli measure.

"Such a dangerous provocation and escalation comes in the context of Israel‘s ongoing policy of targeting Palestinian Muslim and Christian holy sites and implementing deliberate sectarian extremist measures to generate instability, violence and chaos in and around occupied Jerusalem,” said Ashrawi in a statement.

“The gravity of the situation requires immediate action from the international community and all relevant organizations and multilateral bodies. We appeal to them to actively intervene and to provide protection for the Palestinian people and their places of worship.  If Israel is not made to cease and desist from its dangerous and unlawful measures, its actions will provoke confrontations with serious ramifications throughout an already-volatile region and beyond."

Israel reopened the Mosque for worship early Saturday following strong local and Arab protest after closing it and forcing all worshippers out of it on Friday afternoon following an alleged stabbing attack in the Jerusalem’s Old City. The alleged attacker, who did not cause any bodily harm, was shot dead by police.

M.K.