This archive report was first published on 8 May 2021.
On May 8, 2021, the European Union urged calm in East Jerusalem following violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces that left dozens injured.
Clashes erupted in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, where Israeli authorities had planned to resettle 28 Palestinian families. The situation escalated on Friday, with violence also reported near the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Damascus Gate.
The Red Crescent reported that 205 Palestinians were injured in the unrest, while Israeli police also reported injuries among their officers.
Reacting to the situation, the European Union called on the authorities to act urgently to de-escalate tensions in Jerusalem. The bloc emphasized the need to avoid acts of incitement around the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif and to respect the status quo.
Furthermore, the European Union urged political, religious, and community leaders on all sides to show restraint and responsibility and make every effort to calm down the volatile situation.
The bloc also expressed concern over the evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah and other areas of East Jerusalem, describing such actions as illegal under international humanitarian law.
For decades, Palestinians have been seeking recognition of their independent state on the Israeli-occupied territories in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip. Israel continues to build settlements in the occupied areas, despite objections from the United Nations.
