Israeli measures in Jerusalem ‘illegal’: Arab FMs

Arab foreign ministers late Thursday denounced Israel's recent "illegal" violations in Jerusalem.

The ministers met in Cairo after the Israeli government implemented increasingly restrictive measures at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

The ministers called on the U.S. and the United Nations to get involved to ease tensions and for Israel to stop the violations.

They also urged Israel not to close the gates of Al-Aqsa and consider its historic and legal status.

The ministers expressed a need to implement the resolutions of the UN and UNESCO, which affirmed Al-Aqsa Mosque as an Islamic site dedicated to worship and an integral part of the World Heritage Sites.

The ministers will follow up on Israeli violations and procedures against the mosque, according to a statement issued after the meeting.

They demanded the U.S. intervene to reestablish the security and ease tensions and warned that the incidents could erupt anytime unless the situation is resolved judiciously.

Palestinian Muslims have been praying in the streets outside the mosque complex's ancient walls since July 14, in protest to Israeli security measures.

A decision to return to the mosque was announced after a meeting of the Waqf Council of Jerusalem's top Islamic figures.

It followed a night of street celebrations by thousands of Palestinians who claimed a victory against Israel's imposition of metal detectors and cameras at the entrances to the holy site after the deaths of two Israeli police officers and three Palestinians in a gun battle.