The city of Sakhnin is home to over 25,000 Arab citizens of Israel in the heart of a largely Arab populated section of the Galilee. Historically, relations between Sakhnin and the rest of Israel have been tense. Sakhnin was the site of violence in 1976 when 6 Arab citizens died in clashes with security forces during protests against the appropriation of land. The deaths are commemorated annually on March 30 in an event known as Land Day. In October 2000 protests again broke out in and around Sakhnin in connection with the start of the second Intifada and 11 Arab citizens died during prolonged clashes with the police, including several citizens of Sakhnin.