WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US State Secretary John Kerry expressed concern over Israeli-Palestinian violence to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, the US State Department said in a statement.
"Secretary Kerry spoke separately with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas today to express his deep concern over the recent wave of violence and offer his support for efforts to restore calm as soon as possible," the statement published late Saturday read.
Israeli security forces killed five Palestinians in the second week of stabbing attacks that killed four Israelis and several Palestinians in Jerusalem, the West
Kerry reiterated the importance of "strongly condemning violence and combating incitement and said Washington will monitor the situation and remain engaged in efforts to restore calm.
"[Kerry] again stressed the importance of upholding the status quo in word and deed at the Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount," the State Department said, referring to the site of reignited clashes in Jerusalem’s Old City.
