Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on Israel and the Palestinians to “step back from the brink” amid tensions in Jerusalem.
The Prime Minister’s warning comes after at least 40 people have died following weeks of tensions in Jerusalem, which has led to calls for a de-escalation on all sides from the international community.
Speaking from his official Twitter account, Mr Johnson expressed the UK’s concerns.
He said: “I am urging Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink and for both sides to show restraint.
“The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions.”
I am urging Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink and for both sides to show restraint. The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 12, 2021
His message comes as Israel declared a state of emergency in the central city of Lod as the conflict intensifies.
Palestinian militants fired rockets into Israel while Israel carried out air strikes on Gaza in what has been some of the worse violence in years.
The fighting comes after weeks of rising tensions between Israeli police and Palestinian protestors in Jerusalem.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is among those to have called for an end to ongoing violence in Jerusalem and Gaza, urging for an “end to targeting of civilian populations” on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran said she has been granted an Urgent Question in the Commons on Wednesday on the issue.
The MP said on Twitter: “The UK Govt must set out its plan to work with our international partners to facilitate a de-escalation now.”
Boris Johnson's comments come as Liverpool star Mohamed Salah urged the Prime Minister and other world leaders to end the “killing of innocent people”.
I’m calling on all the world leaders including on the Prime Minister of the country that has been my home for the past 4 years to do everything in their power to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately. Enough is enough. @BorisJohnson
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) May 11, 2021
The Egyptian footballer said “enough is enough” in a post on Twitter in which he mentioned the Prime Minister’s official account, although he did not reveal what it was in reference to.
The Liverpool forward tweeted: “I’m calling on all the world leaders including on the Prime Minister of the country that has been my home for the past 4 years to do everything in their power to make sure the violence and killing of innocent people stops immediately.
“Enough is enough.”
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