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During their annual spring festival Nebi Musa (Prophet Moses), Muslims march from Jerusalem on the road to Jericho to where they believe Moses is buried. In the previous years, these processions were marked by intimidation of Christian communities on their way.
After Arab attacks of March 1920 in Galilee (see death of Joseph Trumpeldor), the Zionist leadership made requests to the mandate administration to address the Yishuv's security, but their concerns were rejected. Vladimir Jabotinsky lead a secret effort to train and arm about 600 Jews with small arms.
During April 4, 1920 procession, inflammatory anti-Semitic rhetoric led to pogroms in Jerusalem. One of the inciters was young Haj Amin Al-Husseini, a nephew of the mayor of Jerusalem. The Arabs ransacked Jewish Quarter, beating anyone they could find and looting shops and homes. The policemen were all Arabs. Riots lasted for 4 days. The majority of the victims were old Yishuv (non-Zionist, and some even anti-Zioist Orthodox Jews). About 300 Jews from the Old City were evacuated. Eventually, the violence was quelled by the British. Fatalities: 5 Jews, 4 Arabs. Wounded: 211 Jews, 33 Arabs.
An official inquiry found that the British military administration was infected with anti-Semitism, and the measures taken to maintain order inadequate, but no one was charged. Also, not a single policeman was charged for failing his duties. The committee of inquiry blamed the Zionist Commission for provoking the Arabs. Jabotisky was given 15 years prison term. Offices of Zionist leadership were raided, including the chairman of Zionist Commission Chaim Weizmann. Jewish immigration was halted.
Some of the rioters were punished. Mayor of Jerusalem Musa Khazim Pasha al-Husseini was replaced by the head of rival Nashashibi clan. Haj Amin Al-Husseini and Arab writer Aref al-Aref were sentenced for ten years in absentia (both fled to Syria).
A few weeks later, the San Remo conference replaced military administration of the Mandate with a civic one headed by Herbert Samuel.
Facing unwillingness of Mandate power to defend them from continuous Arab violence, Jews decided to set up underground self-defense militia, the Haganah ("defense").
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