Tensions over the Wailing Wall lead to riots

In 1929, tensions escalated over the Kotel, or Wailing Wall, a site of immense significance for the Jewish community. The Wailing Wall, then a narrow alleyway, became a focal point of conflict as British authorities imposed restrictions that prohibited Jews from using chairs or curtains during prayer. This was particularly challenging for elderly worshippers who required seating and for those who sought to maintain gender separation during religious observance. The situation was further inflamed by the Mufti of Jerusalem, who claimed the area was Muslim property and incited tensions by driving cattle through the alley. His allegations that Jews were attempting to assert control over the Temple Mount ignited the August 1929 Palestine riots. Tragically, the riots resulted in the massacre of the ancient Jewish community in Hebron, marking a dark chapter in Jewish history. In response to the violence and the perceived inadequacy of British protection, right-wing Zionists formed the Irgun Tzvai Leumi (Etzel) in 1931, advocating for a more aggressive stance towards the Arab population. This period highlighted the deepening divisions and the complexities of Jewish-Arab relations in Palestine, setting the stage for future conflicts.