Meanwhile, speaking in Senegal at a conference of Muslim states, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel is practicing “ethnic cleansing” in Jerusalem.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: “Our people in [Jerusalem] are facing an ethnic cleansing campaign through a set of Israeli decisions, such as imposing heavy taxes, banning construction and closing Palestinian institutions, in addition to separating the city from the West Bank by the racist separation wall.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was also at the conference, where he issued a rare condemnation of the ongoing Israeli attacks. Moon said, “Israel’s disproportionate and excessive use of force has killed and injured many civilians, including children. I condemn these actions and call on Israel to cease such attacks.” Moon also condemned Palestinian rocket fire and shootings on Israel.