The Guardian, Times and Independent all cover comments made yesterday by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, who accused Israel of igniting a “religious war” over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which has become a focal point of tension during the past several weeks. Abbas’s comments came despite repeated assurances by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior leaders that they intend to maintain the status quo at the site, by which Jews are permitted to visit in small numbers but not to pray there. The Times also reports that Marwan Barghouti, a high-profile and influential leader of Abbas’s Fatah faction, who is serving a lengthy sentence in Israel for multiple murders, recently wrote a letter encouraging a third Intifada.

The Guardian also includes a feature on the simmering tensions in Jerusalem, reviewing the past several months of unrest in the city, with the Temple Mount a central flashpoint.

The Financial Times reports that Israeli tech companies are becoming frustrated with bureaucratic hurdles which make it difficult for them to recruit top foreign engineers and experts. The article argues that although Israel’s government has pledged to simplify the system, such limitations are stifling the growth of the “Start-Up Nation.”

The Independent i notes that talks between representatives of the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran have continued in Oman, with a 24 November deadline to agree a long-term accord on Tehran’s nuclear development looming. In the Times, Roger Boyes says that the United States must resist an “unholy alliance” with Iran over ISIS. He accuses Iran of being deceptive and argues that Iran in its economically weakened state would be more likely to use a nuclear bomb than a confident, prosperous nation. Meanwhile, the Financial Times says that Russia has agreed to build eight new civilian nuclear reactors in Iran, in a deal which is “raising eyebrows in Washington and Europe,” due to the ongoing nuclear talks.

In the Israeli media, the ongoing tensions especially in Jerusalem and the West Bank continues to be the main item. Maariv says that there were 60 separate incidents yesterday of firebombs, stones and firecrackers being thrown during violent demonstrations. Meanwhile, the top stories in Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz and Israel Hayom all focus on the assessment given by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a security cabinet meeting yesterday. Netanyahu outlined what Yediot Ahronot describes as a policy of “containment,” which will not involve any large-scale IDF operation in the West Bank. At the same time, Netanyahu recommended destroying the homes of terrorists, fining the parents of rioting youths and outlawing those guilty of incitement.

Israel Radio news reports that IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has said that although the goal is to calm the situation, army forces are prepared for a possible escalation in violence. A separate report emphasises that strong Israeli security cooperation with the Palestinian Authority remains in place.

Haaretz highlights a court ruling yesterday which will enable convenience stores in Tel Aviv to remain open during the Sabbath. Former Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar had supported their closure on the grounds that it infringed the rights of competitors to a day of rest. However, the Tel Aviv Municipality had argued that the Sabbath opening of the stores is in keeping with the city’s character.