When late Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon's provocative visit to the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in September 2000 produced protests that were put down harshly by Israeli security forces, Palestinian citizens in Israel rose up to protest. Thirteen Palestinians in Israel were brutally killed by Israeli soldiers trying — unsuccessfully — to quash what has become known as the Aqsa Intifada.  

That scenario appears to have been repeated again with Jerusalem and Al Aqsa, yet Palestinians outside the holy city are showing even greater energy and commitment to supporting their fellow Palestinians in Jerusalem. But unlike the situation in 2000, the vast majority of opposition to these Palestinians has come from an unwieldy mob of Jewish extremists, with the Israeli police largely looking the other way or making symbolic intervention.

With the newly elected extreme-right Knesset member Itamar Ben Gvir leading the mobs, an unprecedented internal struggle has spread like wildfire throughout Israel — particularly in mixed Arab and Jewish towns in Israel. The biggest problems have occurred in Lydda and the southern Tel Aviv area of Beit Yam. But reports about attacks in Haifa have emerged, and clashes with Israeli police have also taken place in many locations.

Speaking on Palestine TV, Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub said that the attacks against Palestinian citizens of Israel are a reflection of the growing racism in Israel which was legislated through the "nation-state law." The latter, adopted by the Knesset in 2018, says the right to self-determination is limited exclusively to Jewish Israelis.