Pope Francis' Call For Jerusalem Conflict: End Clashes, Respect The Holy City

Pope Francis (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - The world's top Catholic leader Pope Francis has called for an end to clashes in Jerusalem, Israel. He anxiously monitored developments in Jerusalem. At the same time, Pope Francis urged stakeholders to find a common solution while respecting the Holy City.

"The multi-religious and multi-cultural identity of the holy city must be respected. Violence breeds violence, stop clashes", he told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square in Rome quoted By Yeni Safak, Monday, May 10.

Meanwhile, clashes have raged as Palestinians in recent days have protested the eviction of the Sheikh Jarrah area of East Jerusalem. Moreover, Israel's central court in East Jerusalem has approved a decision to expel seven Palestinian families from their homes for the sake of Israeli settlers earlier this year.

As a result, Israeli police continue to disperse worshippers inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which has been protesting for some time. Police then used stun guns and gas bombs. Not only men, but you women are also the target of the Israeli army. In that incident, at least 290 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli forces.

Historically, al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in the world for Muslims. Jews call the area the "Temple Mount", claiming it was the site of two Jewish temples in ancient times.

Meanwhile, Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa was located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Israel annexed the entire city in 1980. Which is, an act that has never been recognized by the international community.