Order was completely restored in Setif, Algeria, following the two-day outbreak of rioting, the French Home Office announced today. Not a single Jew was injured in the outburst, but three natives, one a soldier in an Algerian rifle regiment, were killed, the Home Office disclosed.
French troops were in control of the situation, which developed from a brawl in a wine shop. Native Algerian soldiers were engaged in a fight when police intervened. The soldiers resisted the police, who fired, killing one. They were immediately attacked by the soldiers in the cafe and retreated to their station house, which was sacked by the mob.
ANTI-JEWISH RUMOR SPREADS
In the meantime the rumor spread that a Jewish policeman had killed a Moslem soldier and mobs of excited Moslems invaded the Jewish quarter of Setif, looting Jewish shops and shouting, {SPAN}#kill{/SPAN} the Jews.” Heavy police reinforcements were rushed to the district and the rioters were repulsed.
Troops were also rushed to the district and heavy cordons surrounded the section and patrolled the town. Hundreds of arrests were made by police, aided by military forces.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.