RAMALLAH, July 1 (JMCC) - Palestinian protesters were beaten for a second day at a Ramallah demonstration against a planned visit by Israeli vice-prime minister Shaul Mofaz. According to some reports, seven were injured, including journalists, and arrests made.

The crackdown sparked jeers on social media, where Palestinians compared their police to thugs that have operated to put down uprisings in Egypt, where the president was overthrown last year, and in Syria where thousands have reportedly died.

Photos of the incident published by the Washington Post and elsewhere show police wielding batons against civilians and plainclothed security officers attacking protesters and reporters.

Police and other security branches have been known to closely monitor demonstrations in Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority has its headquarters, making arrests and physically attacking demonstrators. Sunday's incident affected more people, however, and vivid photographs seemed to hit a nerve.