The EU on Saturday urged Israeli and Palestinian authorities to calm down tensions in occupied East Jerusalem.

“The European Union calls on the authorities to act urgently to de-escalate the current tensions in Jerusalem,” Peter Stano, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson on foreign affairs, said in a statement.

“Acts of incitement around the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif must be avoided and the status quo has to be respected,” he added, terming the violence “unacceptable.”

The bloc urges “political, religious and community leaders on all sides” to “show restraint and responsibility”, as well as to “make every effort to calm down this volatile situation,” the official said.