The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano:
“I am following with great concern the spiral of tension and violence in Jerusalem and in all of the West Bank.
The death of two police officers in the Old City, of three Israeli citizens in the West Bank and the killing of young Palestinians in clashes are all tragic events.
There is no justification whatsoever for the killers or for the glorification of violence. Every terrorist attack, no matter where it is perpetrated, is to be condemned.
Therefore, I make an appeal for moderation and dialogue and I call on all the parties involved to cooperate and act responsibly in managing the difficult situation in the Old City and to take action to immediately reduce violence and thereby avoid more victims.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has assured that Israel will not make changes in the status quo in the Holy Sites: I take note of this, hoping that Israel and Jordan, which has a special role in respect of Jerusalem’s Holy Sites pursuant to the Peace Treaty with Israel, will cooperate to reach a solution assuring security, respect for the Holy Sites and the status quo.”
