may 7, 1921 - Jaffa riots

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The Jaffa riots of May 1-7, 1921, initially a confrontation between two Jewish groups, escalated into violent conflicts between Arabs and Jews in Mandatory Palestine. Starting in Jaffa and spreading to other areas, the violence resulted in 47 Jewish and 48 Arab deaths, with 146 Jews and 73 Arabs injured.

On the eve of the riots, the Jewish Communist Party, later known as the Palestine Communist Party, called for the overthrow of British rule and a Soviet Palestine. They planned a May Day parade from Jaffa to Tel Aviv, clashing with a socialist group's parade, leading to widespread chaos. Arab attackers armed with various weapons targeted Jewish residents, leading to brutal killings and looting. The violence extended to areas like Abu Kabir where notable Hebrew writer Yosef Haim Brenner was murdered.

In response, Jewish defense group Haganah launched retaliatory attacks, marking a new phase of armed Jewish response to Arab aggression. The British imposed a state of emergency and censored the press while reinforcing military presence with naval destroyers.

The aftermath saw significant casualties, with many Jews fleeing Jaffa for Tel Aviv, which soon gained independent city status partly due to the riots. Victims were memorialized in Petah Tikva, and the events significantly strained Jewish-Arab relations, impacting future policy and leading to further investigations and penalties for the involved communities.

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