UK Demands Calm as Rocket Attacks Rage
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has slammed the recent rocket barrages from southern Lebanon and Gaza, urging all sides to cool tensions immediately. Speaking amid the holy season clash of Passover, Ramadan, and Easter, Cleverly stressed the urgent need to respect Jerusalem’s sacred Status Quo.
Cleverly’s Tough Words on Jerusalem Violence
“The UK condemns the indiscriminate rocket attacks from southern Lebanon and Gaza and recognises Israel’s right to self-defence. Now is the time for all parties across the region to de-escalate tensions.”
“At the convergence of Passover, Ramadan and Easter, the UK calls for all parties to respect the historic Status Quo arrangements at Jerusalem’s holy sites and cease all provocative action.”
“The UK is a strong supporter of freedom of religion or belief and calls for places of worship to be respected. We value Jordan’s important role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem and condemn the Israeli police violence at the Al Aqsa Mosque. When Israeli security forces conduct operations, they must ensure they are proportionate and in accordance with international law.”
“Israel and the Palestinian Authority must take steps to honour the commitments agreed at Sharm el-Sheikh and Aqaba. Peace will only be sustainable if both Israelis and Palestinians recommit themselves to a negotiated settlement, leading to a two-state solution of a secure Israel side by side with a viable Palestinian State.”
UK Backs Jordan’s Custodianship
The UK highlights Jordan’s critical role as guardian of Jerusalem’s holy sites and demands an end to all provocative acts. With tensions sky-high, Cleverly warns that respect for religious freedoms and international law must guide security actions going forward.
As rockets fly and holy festivals collide, the Foreign Secretary’s message is clear: hands off the holy sites, stop the violence, and return to the negotiating table.
