8 reasons Palestinians are raging against the Israeli occupation

#8: Settler violence. “Price-tag” attacks by extremist Jewish settlers against Palestinian civilians contribute to Palestinian anger at the Israeli government, which often refuses to prosecute the attackers. In July, suspected Jewish settlers firebombed a home in Duma, West Bank, killing an infant and both his parents.

#7: Banning the Murabitat and Murabitun from Al Aqsa Mosque. These Muslim groups, which say they guard the Noble Sanctuary from Jewish extremists, were banned from the compound in September by Israeli defense minister Moshe Yaalon. The move caused rioting by Palestinians, who fear Israel is plotting to take over their holy site.

#6: The increase in Jewish visitors to the Al Aqsa Mosque/ Noble Sanctuary. Jewish visitors to this holy Muslim site in Jerusalem’s Old City have increased in recent years, with right-wing Israeli politicians and activists even calling for the construction of a Third Temple there.

#5: Lethal force used against unarmed protesters. In September, Netanyahu relaxed rules governing the use of live fire on Arab stone-throwers. In recent days, at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire during protests, including children as young as thirteen.

#4: The sealing-off of neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. Israeli police began closing off several neighborhoods in Al Quds on Tuesday, which they said was “a security measure.” Activists and residents say the move amounts to collective punishment, and only creates further anger against Israel.

#3: Viral videos showcasing Israeli brutality. Videos showing Israeli police brutalizing Palestinians exacerbates resentment of Israel. Here, a screenshot from an amateur video shows an alleged attacker, Fadi Alloun, 19, who was shot dead by police even though he appeared to pose no threat.

#2: Another grisly video that quickly went viral and contributed to Palestinian anger with Israel was one showing Hadil Salah Hashlamoun, an 18-year-old Palestinian woman, being fatally shot by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint in Hebron. Israeli authorities said she had a knife; Palestinian witnesses maintain she was unarmed.

#1: 48 years of occupation. Palestinians are, to say the least, fatigued by five decades of Israeli occupation, which has a stranglehold on nearly every aspect of their lives. The collapse of the peace process and disenchantment with the Palestinian Authority are major contributors to popular frustration, especially among younger generations.