Haganah Break up Jewish Peace Demonstration - April 1948

On 15th April 1948 the Belfast Newsletter reports that “Peace demonstrations by Jerusalem’s orthodox Jews were broken up today by….[Zionist paramilitary group]….Haganah”. The protesters marched through Jerusalem with banners demanding a ceasefire and peace but were halted by Haganah forces “who used rifle butts against the demonstrators”

The protest took place the day after an attack by Arab forces on a convoy taking supplies to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem which left 79 people dead. This in turn was believed to be in retaliation for the Zionist attack on Deir Yassin which had happened four days earlier on 9th April leaving over 100 Arabs dead.

The Newsletter goes on to say that “Haganah troops tore down their banners…..and beat the demonstrators without mercy”. The report finishes by  saying that “Zionist leaders were trying to hush up the matter”