BS”D
While I am not sure that I accept this explanation and have no time to research it, there are those who blame the 1929 riots on a Zionist’s ill-timed and ill-advised visit to the Kosel.
However, there is no question that the Zionists provoked the Arabs in many instances. The old Yishuv had no real problems with the Arabs.
But most of all, keep in mind this well known dialogue between an Arab terrorist and his Jewish jailer (all is very loosely paraphrased):
Terrorist sees his jailer eating pita on Pesach: Aren’t you not supposed to do that now?
Jailer: I don’t care about this.
Terrorist: As long as you don’t care, we will win.
Or, my story:
When I was in EY in Shvat 5766, I davka walked through what would be considered risky parts of Y-m on my way to the Kosel (actually the Tzemach Tzedek shul for Shacharis and then the Kosel for Mincha). Running late as usual, I got kind of worked up and started to subconsciously walk to the rhythm of the Arabic music in the shuk. I even thought to myself that if I were Chaim Israel, I could set Yigdal to one of those tunes. Catching myself and realizing it was Shabbos and I had no business paying attention to music, I thought to myself: “Here are veiled ladies, here is real Middle Eastern music. Here are people who are proud of their culture and their faith, garbage though it may be. On Ben Yehuda, they’re wearing practically nothing and listening to Britney and Whitney. Oy, what is going to happen here?!”