Netanyahu: We are in the 'midst of a battle over Jerusalem'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described on Wednesday his government’s strict measures against Palestinians in Jerusalem as part of a battle over the holy city.

Speaking after a bloody confrontation that killed five Israelis and two Palestinians inside a synagogue in the western part of Jerusalem, Reuters news agency quoted Netanyahu as saying that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is the one responsible for inciting violence in the holy city and calling the killings, along with a spate of recent attacks, part of a “battle over Jerusalem”.

“As a nation we will settle the score with every terrorist and their dispatchers, and we have proved we will do so, but no one may take the law into their own hands, even if spirits are riled and blood is boiling,” Netanyahu reportedly said in broadcast remarks.

Over the past few months, tensions in occupied Jerusalem have been rising as extremist Israeli settlers continue their attempts to assert control over Al-Aqsa Mosque with greater numbers and almost on a daily bases.

Meanwhile, Israeli army and police impose strict restrictions on Palestinian worshipers heading to pray at the third holiest place for all Muslims around the world.

Several Palestinians have also been killed during this time, including a 32-year old bus driver, who was hanged to death on Monday. His colleagues said that six extremist settlers killed him.

Abbas severely criticised the attack on the Israeli synagogue.

But despite the Palestinian Authority having extremely limited administrative power or jurisdiction over occupied Jerusalem, Netanyahu still blames Abbas for the recent rise in tensions.