Jerusalem 1920: The Nebi Musa Riots and the Birth of a National Conflict

In April 1920, during the Muslim festival of Nebi Musa, Jerusalem erupted in violence that would reshape the city's future. This episode focuses on the three days of rioting that pitted Arab nationalists against Jewish Zionists under British military rule. We explore the figure of Amin al-Husseini, who used the podium of the festival to deliver a fiery speech, the role of British High Commissioner Herbert Samuel's subsequent appointment, and how the events led to the Haganah's formation. We also examine the conflicting narratives: Arab fears of Zionist immigration versus Jewish perceptions of incitement and British leniency. The episode introduces key documents like the Palin Commission report, which criticized both sides but laid groundwork for the British Mandate's 'even-handed' policy. Listeners will come away understanding how this relatively obscure riot set patterns of protest, military response, and communal organization that defined Jerusalem for decades.

#NebiMusa #AminAlHusseini #HerbertSamuel #BritishMandate #PalinCommission #Haganah #Zionism #ArabNationalism #Jerusalem1920 #OttomanEmpire #BalfourDeclaration #FaisalWeizmannAgreement #ZerachBarnett #JosephTzviDushinsky #History #MiddleEast #FexingoHistory #ConflictOrigins

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo