Jerusalem 1920: The Nebi Musa Riot and the Birth of Arab Nationalism

In April 1920, during the Muslim festival of Nebi Musa, Jerusalem erupted in violence that would reshape the city's modern history. This episode unpacks the three days of rioting between Arabs and Jews, the role of Haj Amin al-Husseini, the British military's delayed response, and the emergence of Palestinian Arab nationalism. We explore the immediate trigger—a Jewish demonstration at the Jaffa Gate—and how the British Mandate's conflicting promises fueled the clash. The conversation examines the casualties, the commission of inquiry led by Sir John Paley, and the trial of future Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky. We also consider the legacy: the riot is often seen as the first major outbreak of the Arab-Zionist conflict under British rule, and it propelled al-Husseini to power as Mufti. Drawing on eyewitness accounts and official reports, we separate myth from fact about who started the violence and what it meant for the decades of strife to come.

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