The 1920 Nebi Musa Riots: Jerusalem's Modern National Conflict

In April 1920, Jerusalem erupted. The Nebi Musa riots—named for the annual Muslim procession to the tomb of Moses—left five Jews and four Arabs dead and over 200 wounded. This episode zooms in on the week of April 4–11, 1920, when religious pilgrimage became a flashpoint for nationalist tensions under British occupation. We trace the spark: a speech by Haj Amin al-Husseini at the Jaffa Gate, the role of the British military governor (General Louis Bols), and the political fallout that led to the appointment of Herbert Samuel as High Commissioner. We examine how the Yishuv's nascent defense force (Hashomer) clashed with Arab crowds, and how the riots reshaped both communities' strategies. Drawing on eyewitness accounts from the American Colony and British intelligence reports, we explore whether this was a religious riot or the first battle of a national struggle. The episode also covers the ensuing Palin Commission, which blamed both sides, and the trial of Vladimir Jabotinsky for smuggling arms. A pivotal moment that set the stage for decades of conflict.

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