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Arabs in Armed Attack on Wailing Wall Area; Injure 2 Jews; Tear Prayer Books

August 19, 1929
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An armed attack on the Wailing Wall area was perpetrated Friday afternoon by an Arab mob consisting of hundreds of men wielding daggers. Two Jewish worshippers were wounded and the prayerbooks were torn and religious objects destroyed.

The attack, coming a day after Tisha B’Ab, and following the protests of Jews throughout the world against the infringement of the Jewish right of worship at the Wall, raised the indignation of the Jewish population of Palestine to a pitch, particularly since the Arab mob made use of the newly opened door to gain entrance to the Wailing Wall area. It was for the opening of this door that the Palestine granted permission to the Moslems, ignoring the protest of the Jews that the opening of the door is an infringement of the status quo and would lead to continuous attacks on the Jewish worshippers.

While the police, warned in advance of the demonstration, blocked all streets leading to the Wailing Wall and prevented a large number of Jews from going there for the Friday evening services, the Moslem invaders gained entrance to the Wailing Wall area through the new door from the Mosque of Omar. The Moslems had gathered in the Mosque.

Only three Arab policemen and one Jewish officer were on guard at the Wailing Wall area during the invasion of the Moslems. They were powerless against the mob.

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