Netanyahu: Israel is committed to upholding the status quo on Temple Mount

In a further speech on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that "Israel is committed to upholding the status quo at Temple Mount", the phrase Jewish Israelis use to describe the al-Aqsa compound.

"The closure of Temple Mount is temporary, and is meant to prevent riots and escalation as well as to restore calm and the status quo to the Holy Places."

"We will continue to guarantee freedom of worship for members of all faiths."

Prior to the closure of the holy compound, all Palestinian men under the age of 40 had regularly been prevented from entering the site to pray.

In an earlier speech, Netanyahu called on the international community to condemn Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for "incitement" when he demanded that Jewish worshippers be prevented from entering the site, considered the third most sacred location in Islam.

Netanyahu's second comments came as four Israeli activists were arrested for attempting to storm the compound in East Jerusalem.