Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and Oman call for an end to Israeli breaches

US joins regional countries in expressing 'serious concerns' about plans to evict Palestinian families from land claimed by Jewish settlers

Israeli police arrest Palestinian protesters near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. EPA

Regional countries have condemned plans to evict Palestinians to make way for Israeli settlers, and its response to protests over the matter.

And US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed his "serious concerns" about the evictions, in a call with his Israeli peer, Meir Ben-Shabbat, National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said.

Mr Sullivan also spoke of the country's concerns with "violent confrontations at the Haram Al Sharif" in East Jerusalem, which includes Al Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest place and site of Israeli police incursions at the weekend.

The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry said the kingdom “rejects Israel’s plans and measures to evict dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem and impose Israeli sovereignty over them".

UAE Minister of State, Khalifa Al Marar, said Israeli authorities must “assume their responsibilities in line with international law to provide necessary protection to Palestinian civilians’ right to practise their religion, and to prevent practices that violate the sanctity of the holy Al Aqsa Mosque".

Oman also affirmed “its steadfast position in supporting the legitimate rights to establish an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital".

Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged Israel to stop its attacks on worshippers and called on Israel to adhere to international law and international humanitarian law.

“Israel as the occupying force carries responsibility for protecting rights of Palestinians in their homes,” said the Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Al Safadi.

The GCC countries condemned the violent clashes that injured 205 Palestinians and 17 police officers, and evictions of Palestinians from their homes.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel “firmly rejects the pressure not to build in Jerusalem. To my regret, this pressure has been increasing of late".

The Arab Parliament will hold an emergency meeting on May 19 in Cairo, and Arab League foreign ministers will meet on Tuesday.

“The meeting will discuss Israeli crimes and attacks in the occupied city of Jerusalem, Islamic and Christian holy sites, especially Al Aqsa Mosque, and attacks on worshippers,” said Hossam Zaki, assistant secretary general of the Arab League.

It will also discuss "the brutal Israeli attacks and plans to seize the homes of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, to empty the city of its residents and displace its people", Mr Zaki said.

The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation will also hold an emergency session on Tuesday.

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