Why did violence break out in Palestine in 1929 and from 1936 to 1939?

Violence in Palestine during the British mandate was rooted in the incompatible aspirations of the Arab and Jewish populations regarding land ownership, immigration, and political self-determination.1

The 1929 Clashes

The 1929 violence was triggered by a dispute over religious practices at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a site sacred to both Muslims and Jews. This incident escalated into widespread communal clashes in Jerusalem, Safed, and Hebron, resulting in approximately 250 deaths. The unrest reflected deeper Arab anxieties that Jewish immigration threatened their livelihood and future political status, a concern validated by the subsequent Shaw Commission report.1

The 1936–1939 Arab Revolt

The 1936–1939 uprising was a popular Palestinian Arab revolt against British governance, driven by opposition to British policies that facilitated large-scale Jewish immigration and land transfers. Tensions reached a breaking point due to:21
* Rapid Demographic Shifts: Increased Jewish immigration, particularly following the Nazi rise to power in 1933, led to significant social and economic displacement of Arab tenant farmers.31
* Political Frustration: Arab demands for an end to immigration, a prohibition on land sales, and independence were repeatedly rejected or sidestepped by the British.231
* Escalating Militancy: The discovery of arms intended for the Haganah and the martyrdom of Sheikh Izz al-Din al-Qassam fueled armed resistance.3

The revolt began as a general strike in April 1936 and evolved into a national uprising that was ultimately suppressed by 1939.2