El-Gebaly’s statement came in the course of an emergency conference held by the Arab Parliamentary Union in Cairo Saturday.

The conference, entitled "Al-Aqsa Mosque and Islamic and Christian Holy Sites Are a Priority," attracted parliamentarians from 22 Arab countries.

El-Gebaly said "the Al-Aqsa mosque and other Islamic and Christian sites are the core of the Palestinian cause and the heart of its developments, and in this respect let me refer to the wicked Israeli schemes which aim to abolish the Arab character of Al-Quds city [Jerusalem] and disrupt its holy sites."

The speaker condemned Israeli occupation forces’ attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites in violation of all humanitarian values and international conventions and charters which call for religious co-habitation.

He also indicated that Egypt considers Israel's desecration of Al-Aqsa mosque and other Islamic and Christian sites an unacceptable violation of international law, not to mention the harm such attacks do to any hopes for building a fair and lasting peace in a region roiled by internal conflicts and in a world ravaged by wars and chaos.

El-Gebaly called upon Arab parliaments to launch an awareness campaign among world parliaments in defence of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and to bring attention to the Israeli violations which put world values and humanitarian achievements at risk and in a way that threatens world security and stability.