The “Western Wall” Riots of 1929: Religious Boundaries and Communal Violence

The 1929 riots in Palestine, particularly in Jerusalem, Safad, and Hebron, revealed how communal boundaries—rooted in religious, economic, and political dynamics—were both reinforced and eroded during periods of violence. The study argues that these outbreaks were not spontaneous but rather attempts to redraw or reestablish social divisions, shaped by long-standing tensions and the rising influence of Zionist movements and Palestinian nationalism. By analyzing patterns of violence across the three cities, the research offers insight into how historical boundaries evolved and how external forces disrupted traditional structures. The findings underscore the interplay between religious identity, political change, and communal conflict in shaping collective memory and spatial organization within UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town.

Winder, A. (2012). The “Western Wall” Riots of 1929: Religious Boundaries and Communal Violence. Journal of Palestine Studies, 42(1), 6–23. https://doi.org/10.1525/jps.2012.xlii.1.6