UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during a joint statement with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev, Ukraine July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday he is concerned about the risk of violence escalating in the Old City of Jerusalem, where recent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians have been the bloodiest in years.

“I am particularly concerned about the potential risk of escalating violence, urge all political, religious and community leaders to refrain from provocative action and rhetoric, and call on Israel to demonstrate restraint,” Guterres said in a statement.