Friday's upsurge of violence in the Middle East raised concerns in many countries, and led to a call for joint action by the European Union and the United States to try to halt the bloodshed. 

At The Hague, the Dutch foreign ministry said the Netherlands is proposing a joint statement by the European Union and the United States, calling on Israel for an immediate ceasefire and for both sides to go back to the negotiating table. 

A spokesman for the Dutch foreign ministry said he hopes European and U.S. representatives in Israel could deliver the plea to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as early as Sunday morning, before U.S. mediator Anthony Zinni returns to the Middle East next week. 

In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov also urged restraint on both sides. In a television interview, Mr. Ivanov noted Israeli statements that the use of force is aimed at guaranteeing security, and he said events have shown this policy is having the opposite effect. 

The Russian foreign minister urged both Israel and the Palestinians to take radical steps to end the spiraling violence. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

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