'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎12r] (28/294)

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Acts of violence v/hich occurred were confined to unruly demonstrations,
stoning of motor-cars, and the burning of Jewish timberyards, crops and
etc., all of which were reported from various districts.
Meanwhile the Arab leaders had not been idle. Realising at last
that the spontaneous outbreak had given them their cue, they started at once
to convert it to an organised rebellion. On the 25th all parties sunk
their differences for the first time in Palestine's history, and together
formed "the Arab Higher Committee" to control national activities.
At the head was Kaj Amin Sffendi al Husseini, Mufti of Jerusalem and
President of the Supreme Moslem Council, who led the extreme elements;
and it was significant to find his rival of nearly twenty years -
Ragheb Bey Nashashibi, President of the moderate "Defence Party" -
ranged beside him. The Committee formulated their terms and issued
them in the form of a letter to the High Commissioner. In it they
affirmed their intention to continue the strike until the British
Government should make a fundamental change in their policy: in parti
cular they demanded the prohibition of Jewish immigration and land
purchase, and the establishment of a National Government.
26th - 27th April
From this point the situation assumed a different complexion, and
a tendency to unrest spread beyond the towns to the rural areas as the
leaders, in order to sustain their claims, sought to bring increased
pressure on the authorities.
26th April
Rioting in Nazareth soon gave evidence that the wave of agitation
had reached the North. The police were compelled to fire on the crowd,
and a detachment of the Loyal Regiment also came into contact.
29th April
A riot took place in the evening around the Damascus Gate in
Jerusalem, where for the first time shots were fired at the police.
The day marked the beginning of the indiscriminate shooting and bomb-
throwing which was to continue throughout the summer.
50th April - 4th May
The last day of April passed quietly, but on the 1st May police
had to use force to disperse crowds in Haifa and Jaffa. Meanwhile
arson, sniping, bombing and attacks on motor cars continued to increase
and to spread to all districts.
5th - 7th May
The attitude of the Arab leaders was rapidly becoming more and more
rebellious, and on the 5th the High Commissioner found it necessary to
issue a warning to the Higher Committee. Simultaneously two notorious
agitators were arrested. The Committee's reply made it clear rhat cne
warning was being disregarded, and on the 7th it announced that non
payment of taxes and civil disobedience would start on the 15th May if
the Government had not by that date acceded to the Arab demands.
On the same day the first cases of sabotage on the railway were reported.
It was clear that the situation was deteriorating, and that it was only
a matter of time before unrest and violence became widespread.
Accordingly the High Commissioner called a meeting that evening with
the Air Officer Commanding at which it was decided that reinforcement
of the garrison had become necessary, and requests v/ere telegraphed to
Egypt for troops and to Iraq for armoured cars of the R.A.F.