Tensions rose in East Jerusalem Sunday as Israel allowed its controversial flag march celebrating the full capture of the city in the 1967 Six Day War with thousands of Israelis marching through the Palestinian quarters carrying the Israeli flag.

Also on Sunday, groups of Israeli settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest place for Muslims around the world.

From his side, Minister Shoukry stressed the necessity of suspending any procedures or practices that target the Muslim and Christian Arab identity of the city of Jerusalem and change the historical and legal status of the city, warning that the escalation impacts the stability of the Palestinian territories.

The Palestinian presidency issued a statement condemning the Israeli actions saying that “Israel was playing with fire by allowing the settlers to desecrate the holy sites in East Jerusalem.”

The Egyptian FM also warned that the expansion of settlement activity, whether through building new settlements, expanding current settlements or confiscating land from Palestinians, undermines the opportunity to reach a two-state solution in Palestine.

Sameh Shoukry asserted in the meeting with the Fatah official Egypt’s continuing support to the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

Egypt has reiterated its full support for the two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state on the borders of 5 June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.