MOSCOW, November 6. /TASS/. Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday urged Palestine and Israel to take urgent steps towards deescalation in East Jerusalem.

“Over the recent days the dangerous escalation of tension has been observed in East Jerusalem,” the ministry said.

“After an activist of one of the radical Palestinian groups made an assassination attempt against Israeli prominent right-wing activist, Rabbi Yehuidah Glick, in essence, the Israeli authorities took an unprecedented step by temporarily closing one of the main Islamic holy places - the Al Aqsa Mosque compound,” the ministry said.

“Despite the fact that later such restrictive measures were eased a little the situation in the city continues to aggravate. The clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli security forces continue,” it said.

“In no small part it is related to the attempts made by several Israeli right-wing figures to penetrate into the territory of Al Aqsa Mosque,” the ministry said.

“The growth of extremist moods both from Israeli and Palestinian radicals seriously worsens the situation. On November 5, an Israeli policeman died and over 10 people were injured in two cars collisions. According to several media, the incidents had an intended goal,” the ministry said.

“Russia voices deep concern over the events in East Jerusalem. Of course, Russia condemns violence whoever it comes from. We call on Israelis and Palestinians to take urgent steps towards de-escalation,” it said.

“In this connection we note a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying on November 2 it is inadmissible to incite discord. Such position is shared by the Palestinian leadership,” the ministry said.

“We believe that the issues over the status of holy places in Jerusalem, the holy city for the three monotheistic religions, should be solved within the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks on the firm international legal base,” the ministry said.