"Of key importance is the normalization of the situation around the holy sites in East Jerusalem, equally revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians," Churkin said at the UN Security Council meeting.
The Russian ambassador stressed the need to keep to the status quo at the Temple Mount complex. Current rules prevent Jews from worshiping at the Temple Mount, which houses Islam’s third holiest site, the Al-Aqsa mosque. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Palestinian accusations of a plan to revise the status quo.
"It can be possible only through discussing the Jerusalem problem within the framework of negotiations on all issues of the final status of Palestinian territories," he stressed.
Churkin reiterated Russia’s calls for both sides to stop the violence and return to calm in light of the deaths of seven Israelis and nearly 40 Palestinians and Israeli Arabs in attacks this month.