Netanyahu: 'A struggle is now being waged for the heart of Jerusalem'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a statement on the violent raid on al-Aqsa Mosque this morning.

He said: "A struggle is now being waged for the heart of Jerusalem. It is not a new struggle. It is the struggle between intolerance and tolerance, between law-breaking violence and law and order."

The prime minister does not, however, address why Israeli armed police brutally stormed the mosque while thousands of Palestinians were at prayer.

Palestinians were taken by complete surprise. Though tensions were high over a planned Israeli march later, assurances by authorities that no Israelis would be allowed in al-Aqsa Mosque was interpreted as a message they would be able to pray in peace this morning.

"We insist on ensuring the rights of everyone, this occasionally requires taking a strong stand as the officers of the Israel police, and our security forces, are doing at the moment. We back them in this just struggle," Netanyahu added.

"Of course, these things are being expressed erroneously and misleadingly in the global media. In the end truth will win but we must constantly reiterate it."