Israeli cities face rioting, violence as Jewish-Arab conflicts intensify

The violent conflict between Israelis and Palestinian militants this week sent rockets flying and buildings crumbling under targeted airstrikes, but for some residents of cities like Lod with mixed Arab and Jewish populations, the riots and mobs are more worrying.

Lod in central Israel and several other cities with mixed Arab and Jewish populations have exploded into violence in recent days with extreme Jews and Arabs hunting each other down in their own neighborhoods. Sharaya blamed Jewish settlers, interlopers he claimed have been coming to town to threaten Arabs and stir the pot. His wife Hajar was hit worse. The cuts on her head were deeper. Their son Mohammad said even though they are not even safe in their house, they are now afraid to leave it.  "This is the definition of terror," he said. "We are not the terrorists. We are defending our homes here."