TEL AVIV — The northern Israeli city of Nazareth witnessed an incredible confrontation on Oct. 11. Two Muslim men, both leaders in the Arab Israeli community, had a verbal duel in the public square. And the stakes for their community could not be higher.

Knesset member Ayman Odeh, the head of the third-largest party in Israel’s Parliament, the United Arab Party, was there for a TV interview. He was standing on the sidewalk, adjusting his earphone, when a white car suddenly stopped beside him. From that car, to Mr. Odeh’s visible astonishment, the mayor of Nazareth, Ali Salam, began raging at him: “Go away ... get out of here ... you’ve ruined this city ... what are you doing to us ... you’ve burned the whole world.”

Mr. Odeh’s usual manner is relatively mild. He does not use much provocative language. But as the head of the United Arab Party he bears responsibility for its policies. And its policy of confrontation with the Jewish majority agitated Mr. Salam. It “ruins our future, and ruins coexistence,” the mayor said the next day.

These are volatile days. Stabbing and shooting attacks on Jews continue, and some of them have been carried out by Arab citizens of Israel. This puts Arab Israelis in an especially stressful position. They are Israeli and also Palestinian. Their state is engaged in a battle against their people, and they are a minority within a Jewish majority. This majority is on edge; its members see suspects everywhere and fear the next attack.