'Israel to Take All Means to Protect Temple Mount'

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu defended Israel's right to defend itself on Sunday, after the Arab world condemned the Jewish state for protecting itself during an Arab mob attack on the Temple Mount. 

"Israel will act by any means to maintain the status quo and the law and order on the Temple Mount," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. "This is the duty and right to take action against lawbreakers to allow freedom of worship in this holy place."

"Therefore, we will act firmly against rock-throwers, Molotov cocktails and throwing pipe bombs or those using other weapons," he added. 

Earlier Sunday, masked Muslim rioters hurled rocks and fireworks at police on the Temple Mount, as well as firebombs near two entrances to the site. Jerusalem District Police and Border Police were forced to respond with riot dispersal measures. 

Shortly after the clash, both the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Jordan condemned Israel for taking action during the attack, with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas calling the clash an "attack by the Occupier" and Amman claiming the defense was a "provocation."