CAIRO: Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Sunday condemned recent Israeli raids against Palestinians and suggested they instead should focus on returning to peace negotiations. Abul-Gheit said the Israeli air-strikes in the Gaza Strip that have killed 15 Palestinians since Friday were a violation of international conventions. The time has come for the Israeli leaders to realize that by negotiations, and not violence, they will restore peace and security to Israelis, Abul-Gheit said in a statement issued by his office after a meeting with the Palestinians top Muslim clergyman, Mufti Ikrema Sabri. The Israeli strikes came in response to Palestinian rocket fire into southern Israel. The Palestinian government called an emergency meeting to discuss the growing tensions. The statement also addressed ongoing excavations at the holy site of Haram as-Sharif, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, saying they could jeopardize Jerusalem s future. It did not elaborate. Sabri previously demanded that Israel halt an archaeological project near the site, which is sacred to both religions. Israeli authorities recently unveiled an underground location nearby that strengthens Jewish ties to the site, where an ancient temple once stood. The area also contains Islam s Al-Aqsa Mosque and is revered as the place where the Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven. Israel has conducted archaeological digs in the area since it captured East Jerusalem in 1967. The excavations infuriate Palestinians and the Islamic Trust that oversees the mosque complex. Egypt, a key regional U.S. ally, was the first Arab country to make peace with Israel and maintains contacts with Palestinian and Israel officials in the hope of reviving stalled peace talks. A Palestinian minister visiting Cairo on Sunday asked the Arab League to urge Arab states to pay financial aid pledged to the cash-strapped Hamas-led Palestinian government, MENA reported. Telecoms Minister Jamal Al-Khudary asked Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa to urge Arab states to honor a commitment made at a recent Arab summit in Khartoum to give the Palestinians some $50 million a month.The United States and the European Commission, who want Hamas to renounce violence, recognize Israel s right to exist and commit to peace talks; have suspended aid to the Palestinian Authority. Agencies
