AMMAN: The fight over the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, clashes in and around Al-Aqsa Mosque between Muslim worshippers and Israeli police, and the exchange of rockets, shelling and airstrikes between Hamas and the Israel Defense Force could turn into a civil war between Israeli Jews and Palestinian citizens of Israel, experts fear.
Palestinians, living in mixed Arab and Jewish towns like Lydda, Ramleh, Bat Yam, Haifa and Yaffo, have come under repeated attack in the past few days, with much of it motivated by racism.
Right-wing Jewish mobs yelling “death to Arabs” have beaten up individuals, vandalized homes and targeted shops belonging to Arabs who make up 20 percent of Israel’s citizenry.
How is Netanyahu Driving a Wedge Between Israeli Arabs? Published January 14th, 2021 - 07:29 GMT
Israeli police detain a protester as Arab Israelis demonstrate on January 13, 2021 in the northern city of Nazareth against a plan by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit their city. Since July, thousands of Israelis have rallied each week to protest against the prime minister and the economic fallout from the pandemic. Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP
Highlights
Police arrested 10 people after Netanyahu’s visit sparked protests in the town.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of cynically courting the Arab vote to ensure his own political survival.