Trump envoy in Israel for crisis talks
Ambassador defends security measures at Haram Al-Sharif
JERUSALEM: Jason Greenblatt, a top aide to US President Donald Trump, arrived in Israel Monday in a bid to ease tensions over new security measures at Haram Al-Sharif Mosque compound after a weekend of deadly violence.
Greenblatt’s visit comes after more than a week of tensions over the mosque compound.
Greenblatt was holding a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu along with US envoy to Israel David Friedman, said an Israeli official.
Besides the US efforts, the UN Security Council was scheduled to hold closed-door talks Monday about the violence after Egypt, France and Sweden sought a meeting to “urgently discuss how calls for de-escalation in Jerusalem can be supported.”
Israeli officials have signaled they may be open to changing the measures at the holy site. Cameras have been installed at entrances in a possible indication of an alternative to the metal detectors.
In New York, Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, said Israel was working to calm the situation in Jerusalem, but it would do whatever was necessary to maintain security at a holy site.
“We will enable everybody to come and pray on the Temple Mount, but at the same time we will do whatever is necessary to maintain security,” Danon told journalists ahead of the Security Council meeting to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions.
Egypt, France and Sweden called for the talks following clashes over the weekend that left five Palestinians dead.
Asked whether Israel was prepared to remove the metal detectors, Danon said: “Our goal is to calm the situation” by allowing access to the holy site, but also to “maintain security at this important place.”
The Security Council was scheduled to hear a report from UN envoy Nikolay Mladenov during a closeddoor meeting.
“We hope that members of the council will send a clear message to the parties to de-escalate, to exercise restraint, to refrain from provocations, and to work together to lower tensions and discourage violence,” said Swedish diplomat Carl Skau.
Sweden is among a handful of European countries that recognize Palestine.
British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said there was concern at the council about a possible escalation.
“It’s important that the Security Council plays our part in calling for calm,” said Rycroft.