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Expert: Arabs were ripe for explosion Circumstances in the Israeli Arab sector were ripe for the kind of eruption that occurred on Sunday, although the scope of the violence took many experts by surprise. Dr. Elie Rekhess, director of the Program on Arab Politics at Tel Aviv University's Dayan Center, who had warned of the possibility of an outbreak, was taken aback by the intensity and diversity of the riots. Rekhess said a combination of factors contributed to what was the worst violence since the first Land Day demonstrations in 1976 to protest against the expropriation of Arab-owned land. Six people were killed and scores, including members of the security forces, were injured in the 1976 riots which were primarily confined to Sahknin, Deir Hanna, and Arraba in the Galilee. Three people were killed as a result of the clashes on Sunday and another three yesterday, but over 200 were injured. Given the more sophisticated riot-control methods used today, the number of injuries is also significant. The riots were also much more widespread and disruptive than in 1976. The latest demonstrations were felt throughout the country, but primarily in the North where many major roads were blocked for long periods. Rekhess maintained that the writing had been on the wall for some time. 'One of the factors, but not the only one, that has led up to this situation, is that of religious sentiment to which many Moslems relate and not just those who are affiliated with or members of the Islamic Movement,' he said. The Islamic Movement and particularly the dogmatic northern faction headed by Umm el-Fahm Mayor Sheikh Raed Salah, has been espousing the cause of Al-Aksa Mosque for the past few years. According to the movement's propaganda, Israel is trying to stamp its authority over the Temple Mount, the third holiest site in Islam. The movement has also been at the forefront of a sustained campaign to reclaim Moslem holy sites throughout the country, even if abandoned or unused for many years. Some of the sites are in the heart of established Jewish communities. Rekhess said there was perhaps a correlation between the incidents that occurred on Sunday, primarily near areas where the Islamic Movement has a strong or growing grassroots power base, and the movement's ideological and social activities and aspirations. He maintained, however, that it would be simplistic to lay the entire blame for the disruptions at the door of the radical faction of the Islamic Movement, whose leaders have been at pains to stay within the framework of the law. The lingering discontent of Arabs over what they view as the ongoing neglect of their needs and discrimination toward them by successive governments were ingredients for a social time bomb, said Rekhess. Furthermore, there had been the recent furor over the arrest of Israeli Arabs for arms dealing and illegal organization and the decision to investigate MKs Mohammed Barakei (Hadash) and Abdel Malik Dahamshe (United Arab List) for alleged incitement. 'One of the salient characteristics of the latest and extremely severe outbreaks of violence is the youth of those involved, taking into account that nearly 50 percent of Israeli Arabs are under 18 - similar to the ages of those who have been involved in the disturbances in the territories,' said Rekhess. 'While there is no clear or proven evidence of Palestinian Authority involvement in, or orchestration of, the wave of violence inside the Green Line, the mood prevalent in the territories has radiated to the Israeli Arab sector and it has undoubtedly had an influence. 'The vast majority of Israeli Arabs, however, do not want the kind of disruptions that have occurred in the past few days and would much prefer to live their lives in peace and quiet and raise their families accordingly.' 'In my opinion, steps have to be taken now to tackle the problems in the Arab sector to bring about equality and erase the feelings of discontent and discrimination before it really is too late,' said Rekhess.
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