EU warns of changing status quo in Jerusalem

RAMALLAH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The European Union warned on Thursday of the repercussions of changing the status quo in Jerusalem following the recent developments at al-Aqsa Mosque in the eastern part of the holy city.

The warning was issued after a meeting held in Jerusalem between heads of EU diplomats in Ramallah and Jerusalem and representatives of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf (Endowments) Council.

"Any unilateral measures to change the status quo of Jerusalem may strongly contribute to instability," an EU press statement said,

The statement also urged respect for the status quo of the holy places in Jerusalem.

An Israeli court in Jerusalem earlier decided to close the Bab al-Rahma gate of al-Aqsa Mosque and gave the Islamic Waqf Council a 60-day ultimatum to respond to the court verdict.

The Palestinians want the eastern part of Jerusalem, which was occupied by Israel in 1967, as the capital of their independent state, while Israel insists on the entire city as its eternal capital.