UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
New York: The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern over the continuing violence in occupied East Jerusalem, as well as the possible evictions of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods.
In a statement issued by his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, the UN Chief urged Israel to "cease demolitions and evictions, in line with its obligations under international humanitarian and international human rights law."
"Israeli authorities must exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. All leaders have a responsibility to act against extremists and to speak out against all acts of violence and incitement," he stressed.
The Secretary-General urged that the status quo at the holy sites be upheld and respected.
The Secretary-General reiterated his commitment, including through the Middle East Quartet, to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.
