Disturbances at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem

The Brazilian government has been following with concern the escalation of violence at the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. In this context of reflection and religious symbolism, which coincides with Ramadan, Passover and Holy Week, the attacks by Israeli security forces against Muslim worshippers are even more serious.

 The indiscriminate launching of rockets against Israeli civilians from the Gaza Strip and Lebanese territory is equally reprehensible.

In reaffirming its traditional commitment to the two-state solution, the Brazilian government urges the Israeli authorities to respect the status of the holy sites and calls on all parties involved to refrain from reprisals that only contribute to the escalation of further tension and violence.