Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Berlin on Thursday to discuss regulations regarding access to holy sites in Jerusalem in light of heightened levels of violence in Israel and the West Bank.
"A number of constructive proposals were suggested, including steps Israel could take to reaffirm yet again the continued commitment to maintaining the status quo at Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif," State Department spokesman John Kirby said after Mr. Kerry's meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister, according to Wall Street Journal.
In recent weeks, violence has escalated in Jerusalem and the West Bank with knife attacks by Palestinians in the Old City, along with a series of other attacks from both sides, such as the knife attack by a 19-year old Palestinian in which two Israelis were killed.
Netanyahu had responded by destroying the homes of such Palestinian attackers and prohibiting access to the Old City from those who are instigating violence.
"We are very concerned about mounting tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, including the Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount, and call on all sides to take affirmative steps to restore calm and avoid escalating the situation," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
At the heart of the recent tensions lies the issue surrounding Israel's management of the Temple Mount, a holy site in the Old City known as the Noble Sanctuary to Muslims.
Recently, Israel had placed restrictions on access to the Old City, allowing only Israeli citizens, tourists, Old City residents, and students studying there to enter, according to a police statement, to control violence that had been instigated by young men.
Restrictions have been lifted as of Friday, Oct 23.
Kerry is scheduled to meet with Jordan King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to follow to continue the negotiations and proposals discussed with Mr. Netanyahu on Saturday in Amman.
