EU: "Rocket attacks targeting civilians are unacceptable"

Escalation of Israel-Palestine Armed Conflict...International Community Urges Restraint

(Photo by BBC)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As the conflict between Palestine and Israel over East Jerusalem escalated into armed clashes resulting in numerous casualties, the international community has called for restraint.

The European Union (EU) Commission stated on the 10th (local time), "Rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians by Palestinian armed factions are absolutely unacceptable," and added, "Violence in southern Israel, including East Jerusalem, must stop immediately."

Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, emphasized, "Regulating the religious activities and residential life of Palestinians in East Jerusalem is illegal."

The United States and the United Kingdom also urged both sides to exercise restraint, fearing the worst. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that "both Israel and Palestine need to take actions to reduce tensions."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden is deeply concerned about the recent violence and stressed the need to lower tensions.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also issued a statement urging, "The current violence occurring in Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip must be stopped."

Israel, which claims Jerusalem as its capital, regulated the religious activities and residential life of Palestinians in East Jerusalem. In response, the Palestinian armed faction Hamas provoked by launching 150 rockets, leading Israel to conduct airstrikes on Palestinian military facilities, causing casualties.