1929 Hebron massacre

1929 Hebron massacre infobox

== 1929 Hebron massacre ==

The 1929 Hebron massacre was a violent attack on the Jewish population of Hebron, then part of the British Mandate of Palestine, on August 24, 1929. This event was part of a larger series of riots known as the 1929 Palestine riots, which were fueled by tensions between the Jewish and Arab communities in the region.

Background[edit | edit source]

The roots of the 1929 Hebron massacre can be traced back to the growing tensions between Jews and Arabs in Palestine. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, which expressed British support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine, had exacerbated these tensions. By the late 1920s, the situation had become increasingly volatile, with both communities feeling threatened by the other's presence and ambitions.

The Massacre[edit | edit source]

On August 23, 1929, rumors began to spread that Jews were planning to seize control of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. These rumors incited violence in several cities, including Hebron. On August 24, a mob of Arabs attacked the Jewish community in Hebron. Over the course of the day, 67 Jews were killed, and many others were injured. Homes and synagogues were looted and destroyed.

The British authorities, who were responsible for maintaining order in the region, were criticized for their slow response to the violence. Some British officials were accused of being sympathetic to the Arab cause, which further inflamed tensions.

Aftermath[edit | edit source]

In the wake of the massacre, the British authorities evacuated the surviving Jews from Hebron. The Jewish community, which had existed in Hebron for centuries, was effectively destroyed. It was not until after the Six-Day War in 1967 that Jews began to return to Hebron.

The 1929 Hebron massacre had a profound impact on the Jewish community in Palestine and on the broader Zionist movement. It underscored the vulnerability of Jewish communities in the region and reinforced the belief among many Jews that a strong, independent Jewish state was necessary for their protection.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The massacre is commemorated annually by the Jewish community, and it remains a significant event in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The site of the massacre, including the Cave of the Patriarchs, is a place of pilgrimage and remembrance.