Security Council holds emergency meeting on violence in Jerusalem

(Baonghean.vn) - The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on October 16 to discuss the outbreak of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, according to diplomatic sources.

A heavily armed Jewish youth looks at the scene where a Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli security forces after he attacked two police officers with a knife on October 10 at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Photo: AFP.

The emergency talks were requested by Security Council member Jordan after a meeting on October 15 of Arab ambassadors, expressing urgency and high alarm over the escalating situation.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has repeatedly called for calm after weeks of violence that have left at least 30 Palestinians dead.

Head of the Palestinian delegation, Riyad Mansour, told reporters that the situation was “very tense” and called on the Security Council to “shoulder its responsibility” by taking action to end the violence.

Israeli security forces deployed en masse in Jerusalem on October 15 as Jews armed themselves with everything they could get their hands on, including guns and even broomsticks.

A Palestinian holds a stone and makes a victory sign during clashes with Israeli soldiers on October 10 in the West Bank town of Hebron. Photo: AFP.

The outbreak of violence has raised concerns about the possibility of a third Palestinian uprising.

The Security Council meeting is scheduled to take place at 11 a.m. local time, or 1500 GMT.

Thu Giang

(According to AFP)