Washington, DC - Secretary John Kerry spoke separately with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Abbas today to express his deep concern over the recent wave of violence and offer his support for efforts to restore calm as soon as possible.

He reiterated the importance of strongly condemning violence and combating incitement, and taking affirmative steps to reduce tensions. He again stressed the importance of upholding the status quo in word and deed at the Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount and of preventing inflammatory rhetoric and actions that will increase tensions. He made clear he will continue to follow the situation closely and that the U.S. will remain engaged in efforts to restore calm.