jan 1, 1517 - Hebron attacks

Description:

The account by Japheth ben Manasseh in 1518 describes a devastating event in Hebron, where Turkish troops led by Murad Bey, the deputy of the Sultan from Jerusalem, initiated an onslaught against the Jewish community. According to the account, Jews were subjected to brutal violence, including beatings, rapes, and killings, while their homes and businesses were looted and pillaged.

The stable financial position of the Hebronite Jews at the time has been suggested as a possible motive for the Turkish soldiers to engage in the mass plunder. However, some historians propose that the pogrom may have occurred amid a localized conflict, perhaps an uprising by the Mamluks against the new Ottoman rulers.

The aftermath of the attack saw many survivors fleeing to Beirut, seeking refuge from the violence. It wasn't until 16 years later, in 1533, that Jews began to return to Hebron, gradually rebuilding their community after the devastation they had endured.

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