Having just completed an anti-Israel rally near the town of Tzipori, in the Lower Galilee, hundreds of Arabs clashed violently with a group of Jews celebrating Independence Day. In the ensuing riot, five police officers were injured 
The Arabs demanded that the Jews lower their flag, which led to a heated exchange.
and six rioters were arrested. Two Arab Members of Knesset who took part in the rally and ensuing violence were lightly injured, as well.
Both police and Arab MK Mohammad Barakeh (Hadash) confirmed that the violence started when members of a youth movement dedicated to reviving Zionism raised the Israeli flag at a Independence Day picnic not far from where the Arabs had gathered for their anti-Israel event. The Arabs demanded that the Jews lower their flag, which led to a heated exchange of words that eventually escalated to rock throwing and necessitated police intervention.
The incident then turned into a large-scale anti-Israel riot, during which police were forced to close the adjacent Highway 79. The two Arab MKs who were among the rioters, Hadash's Barakeh and Wasil Taha (Balad), both claim they were lightly wounded by police.
Police said that the anti-Israel event, held on Thursday in order to parallel Israel's Independence Day celebrations, was rife with extremist sloganeering, expressions of support for Hizbullah terrorism and wild incitement against Jews. They blame the organizers for allowing the rally to take the tone that it did, which, police say, contributed to the subsequent events. Officials added that the organizers of the anti-Israel event would be questioned about their role.
Several weeks ago, Arab activists had asked for a police permit for a march and rally at the abandoned Arab village of Sfouri on Independence Day. The intention was to mark what the Arabs call "the Disaster" (Nakba in Arabic) of Israel's founding on the day Jews are busy celebrating that event according to the Hebrew calendar. Police gave their permission, they said, on condition that there were no manifestations of incitement of extremist anti-Jewish rhetoric.
Police and Border Guards were out in force, however, on the day of the event, due to a large Independence Day picnic held across the road from the scene of the Arab rally. The picnic was organized by members of the Im Tirzu youth movement and the New Guards (haShomer heHadash) organization, apparently in protest over the permit issued for the anti-Israel rally by local Arabs.
On Friday, the Islamic Movement of Israel is slated to hold its own procession and mass rally in Kafr Kanna,
The Islamic Movement of Israel is slated to hold its own procession and mass rally in Kafr Kanna.northeast of Nazareth in the Galilee, mourning Israel's creation. The Nakba event will be part of the Islamic Movement's annual celebration marking the birth of Islam's founder, Mohammad. After an appeal to the Nazareth District Court, the Islamist group last week received permission to hold the public gathering in the town's soccer stadium.
Reacting to events near Tzipori, MK Effie Eitam (National Union-National Religious Party) said, "Today the Arab leadership in Israel crossed a red line, and a new stage began in the Israeli Arabs' rebellion against the state. The Arab MKs have again proven themselves to be a cause of incitement that leads the Arab community to violent clashes with the Jewish community and the state of Israel."
Eitam called on police and judges to harshly punish anyone found of violating the law during the riots, including those who attacked police officers, those guilty of incitement and disturbing the peace, and rioters who chanted slogans in support of Hizbullah and called to attack Jews.