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The general Arab strike called for today by the Moslem Supreme Council was observed by Moslem and Christian Arabs throughout the entire country. Police reports from Jaffa, Haifa and elsewhere indicate that the strike was as widespread as the one held in 1925 against the visit of Lord Balfour at the opening of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Arab shopkeepers were idle, the Jews trying to continue business as usual, but not in Arab parts of the Old City nor in the bazaars where Jewish stalls adjoin those of non-Jews. Arab day-laborers did not participate in the strike. Hundreds came to work despite reported attempts at intimidation. The banks and large tourist offices were open, although some Christian Arab agents kept their offices closed, as well as a number of European and American offices. All public services, including the railways, telephone and telegraph, functioned normally. There is some doubt whether the teachers in the schools under government supervision participated. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency was informed that the same disicplinary measures would be taken (Continued on Page 4)
It is as yet unknown here whether the strike was effective in Transjordania and Syria, where the Arab Executive had hoped it would extend.
A stream of Arabs from the city and surrounding villages poured in all morning to the Mosque of Omar, the police estimating the crowd at five thousand.
At the Jaffa Gate, all entering and leaving the street leading to the Mosque were searched for arms and concealed weapons, the crowd submitting generally in a good-natured manner to the search.
The correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency saw something resembling a menacing demonstration at eleven o’clock this morning, when a crowd of youthful Arabs poured out of the Mosque area through the new door leading to the Wailing Wall, shouting “Long live-,” but it was impossible to hear the name of the person being cheered, though it was probably Amin el Husseini, the Grand Mufti. The youths were of school age and were followed by adults, all shouting wildly and running towards the pavement in front of the Wailing Wall. A few carried sticks.
There were ample British guards on hand at the Wailing Wall, Police Commissioner Marogardato informed the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent.
All motor traffic except Jewish buses, both inside the city and to the connecting suburbs, was stopped, the police commandeering many cars on which were placed cards bearing the single word in red, “Police.”
The boatmen in Jaffa and Haifa participated in the strike, but a ship bringing 500 Chaluzim, pioneers, and returning residents, were landed on Tuesday to avoid forcing the passengers to stay aboard until after the strike.
Arab newspapers dated Tuesday were published today, carrying all strike notices and referring to today as “an historic day.”
Recapitulations of the reasons for the strike were contained in the Arab press, including the new regulations at the Wailing Wall, the allegedly severe sentences against Arabs found guilty of participation in the recent outbreak, the collective punishment ordinance, alleged disrespect shown Arab lawyers defending criminals being tried for participation in the outbreak.
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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.
