Skip to content
  • Image
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Podcasts
  • Email
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Contact
The Arab Daily News

The Arab Daily News

Original news, features, opinions from Chicago to Jerusalem

  • About
    • About
    • Our Writers
    • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
    • Book Store
    • Contact
    • Submit Book Reviews, Press Releases
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Corrections Policy
    • Profile on Ray Hanania
    • Submit Press Release
  • Features
    • Food
    • Book Review
    • Humor
    • Movies
    • Travel
  • Arab Stores Targeted
  • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Community Network Page
    • Arab Heritage America resources
    • Directory
      • Groups & Organizations
      • Mosques, Churches
      • Restaurants
      • 2008 & 2014 Arab Media Directories
    • National Arab Heritage Month
    • Video: Chicago Arab History
    • Video: Photo Array of Chicago Arabs
    • Overview of Arabs in America
    • Hanania standup comedy
    • Arabs on the Titanic
    • Obituaries
  • Podcasts
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • Arab News Ray Hanania Radio
    • Arab Radio Podcast intro
    • Radio Baladi Detroit
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Toggle search form
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport  Activism
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022 American Arabs
  • Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ
    Jordan bans 12 news sites for ‘spreading media poison’ following corruption report Arab World
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech Activism
  • ADC creates emergency fund to defend people who are being punished for expressing views on the American-sanction violence by Israel in the Gaza Strip. Photo courtesy of ADC
    ADC Condemns ADL, Rep. Torres’ Defamation of Dr. Lara Sheehi Activism
  • UN Special Committee on Israeli practices in occupied territories warns of a second Nakba  Arab World
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month Activism
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders American Arabs
  • Stuffed Grape Leaves. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    A recipe on how to make Stuffed Grape Leaves with lamb, ox tail and rice American Arabs
  • Andrew Boutros, interim US Attorney Northern District of Illinois. Photo courtesy of the US Attorney's Office
    Andrew S. Boutros Takes Oath of Office as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois American Arabs
  • Israeli massacres of Palestinian civilians March 18 2025
    Palestinians demand investigation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza Strip Arab World
  • Illinois Muslim Action Day April 9 2025
    Illinois Muslim Action Day Policies at April 9 Statehouse News Conference American Arabs
  • Investigation demanded in March 23 massacre of 15 first responders by Israel's military in Rafah
    Investigation demanded into Israel slaughter of First Responder in Rafah on March 23, 2025 Arab World
  • More than a dozen candidates running for various local offices in the Chicagoland suburbs attended an Ifatr dinner Thursday, March 13, 2025 hosted by the Arab American Chamber of Commerce at the Jerusalem Banquet Hall in Bridgeview.
    Candidates promise fairness and engagement at Arab Chamber Iftar event March 13 Activism
  • Orland Fire Protection District, Fiscal Voices, receive endorsement of the Arab American Democracy Coaliton
    Independent candidates for Orland Fire receive Arab and Muslim American endorsement Activism

Algerians Remember Massacres of May, 1945

Posted on May 7, 2015 By Abdennour Toumi No Comments on Algerians Remember Massacres of May, 1945
SHARE ...
          
 
  

  • Tweet

After fighting for the independence of Europe, Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East were massacred by the military forces of their alleged Western nation allies, such as on May 8, 1945 when French soldiers clased with Muslims who were celebrating the collapse of the Nazi regime in Germany

By Abdennour Toumi

Massacre of Algerian Muslims by the French on May 8, 1945, after Algerians fought with the West to defeat the Nazis in Germany
Massacre of Algerian Muslims by the French on May 8, 1945, after Algerians fought with the West to defeat the Nazis in Germany

Ankara, Turkey — One of the darkest chapters in the history of Algeria and France, which ruled the North African country from 1830 to 1962, occurred on May 8, 1945, in the towns of Sétif, Guelma and Kharata. What began as a parade by the local Muslim population to celebrate the surrender of Nazi Germany, ended tragically when marchers and French gendarmes clashed, ending in a blood massacre.

The paradox of this massacre occurred just as heroic Algerian soldiers were returning from the battlefields of Europe, Africa and elsewhere where they had fought to defend France’s interests. But on May 8th the French colonial administration, in response to mounting anti-French riots, fired on peaceful demonstrators, and colonial forces launched an air and ground offensive against several eastern cities, particularly Sétif, Guelma and Kharata.

There had been uprisings in the Kabyle (Berber) region and eastern Algeria as early as 1871 and in the Aurès mountains in 1916. But May, 1945 was very different. There were widespread fears of another uprising, despite claims to the contrary, but there is no evidence it was on the agenda.

The defeat of France in June, 1940 changed the terms and the dynamic of the conflict between the colonial power and Algerian nationalists. The French “colons” (settlers) felt threatened by the Popular Front in power in France, though it had yielded to pressure and abandoned its plans for Algeria. For the moment it welcomed the government headed by Marshal Philippe Pétain and the manner, in which it dealt with Jews and communists.

After the U.S. debarkation, the conflict’s tone and tactics changed. The Algerian nationalists believed the democratic and anti-colonialist rhetoric brought on by the American presence in August, 1942, and they felt they must set aside their differences and unite. Hence the pro-assimilation movement broke up.

The battle lines were drawn, on the one hand, between the Algerian Communist party and Friends of Democracy (les Amis de la Démocratie), which advocated unconditional support for the Allied war effort; on the other, the Algerian People’s party (Parti du Peuple Algérien) under its charismatic leader Messali Hadj, who was not prepared to sacrifice the interests of Algeria to the fight against fascism.

Massacre of Algerian Muslims by the French on May 8, 1945, after Algerians fought with the West to defeat the Nazis in Germany
Massacre of Algerian Muslims by the French on May 8, 1945, after Algerians fought with the West to defeat the Nazis in Germany

On April 25, 1945, following incidents at Reibell, Messali Hadj was abducted and deported to Brazzaville, where he was held under house arrest. Some people feared that a show of strength by the nationalists might lead to American intervention.  However, the PPA, furious at the seizure of its leader, was determined to secure his release.

The party decided to march in a separate contingent with its own slogans in the Labor Day procession on May 1st, since the largest trade union, la CGT (General Confederation of Labor) and the French and Algerian communist parties had remained silent on the nationalist issue.

In Oran and Algiers police and some Europeans, upset by the nationalists’ slogans, opened fire. There were casualties, dead and wounded, and many arrests, but the nationalists continued to mobilize the people, mainly the farmers in the rural and mountainous areas.

North Constantine, bound by the towns of Bougie (Béjaia), Sétif, Bône (Annaba) and Thagaste (Souk-Ahras), was under army control at the time. On “Victory” day people in the region were preparing to celebrate the Allied victory in response to a call from the AML and the PPA. The instructions were clear: there were to be peaceful demonstrations to remind France and its allies of the Algerian nationalists’ claims.

There was no order to start an insurrection so why were the events confined to the Sétif and Guelma regions? Why the riots, the massacres?

There were many repercussions, and any hope of a deal between the Algerian people and the European colony were off. In France the political forces of the wartime resistance movement failed their first test on decolonization, allowing themselves to be taken over by the pro-colonial party.

The French Communist party, which described the nationalist leaders as “paid Nazi agitators” and called for “the ringleaders to be shot,” was generally considered to be in favor of colonial rule, although it subsequently changed tack and called for an amnesty.

In Algeria, however, after AML (les Amis du Manifeste et de la Liberté) was disbanded on May 14, the pro-autonomy faction and the Ulemas (Islamist reformists) accused the PPA of playing with fire, and the nationalist camp broke up. However, the young PPA militants set a date for mounting a new challenge and called on their leaders to set up a national para-military organization.

Thus l’OS (Secrete Organization) emerged on the eve of November 1st, 1954 as an emanation of the National Liberation Front and National Liberation Army. But the war for the liberation of Algeria really began on May 8, 1945.

newswire info
  • About
  • Latest Posts
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Abdennour Toumi
Abdennour Toumi:
- France correspondent for The Arab Daily News.
- www.bareed-areej.com Editor-in-Chief
رئيس تحرير مجلة بريد الأريج
- Political consultant at IMPR a Think-Tank based in Ankara, Turkey.
- Member at the European Observatory for Arabic Language Teaching based in Paris, France.
- Affiliated with Sociology of Islam Journal and contributor at Middle East Studies / International Studies, Sociology of Islam and Muslim Societies Center, Portland State University in Portland, OR.

EDUCATION: Diplôme des Études Approfondies (DEA) in Political Science from Toulouse University I, France. Master’s degree in Law from Algiers University, Algeria.

Email im at: nourhty@gmail.com
Abdennour Toumi
Follow me:
Latest posts by Abdennour Toumi (see all)
  • The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Is the Neither-Peace-nor-Security As-sumption Dominating Again? - June 7, 2021
  • Algeria: “I Can See Clearly Now” - August 5, 2019
  • Majesty Mohammed VI and General Gaïd Salah Tear Down This Wall! - July 29, 2019

  • Tweet

SHARE ...
          
 
  
 
          
 
 Tweet 
Abdennour Toumi, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, North Africa Tags:Algeria, France, French oppression, Massacre of Algerians, Massacre of Muslims, Western oppression

Post navigation

Previous Post: Maureen Abood details her love affair with Lebanese food
Next Post: Mordechai Vanunu Reports Israel Renews Human Rights Restrictions 12th year

Related Posts

  • Open Letter to U.S. Senators RE: Veterans Day and USS Liberty Veterans Association Arab World
  • Christian Arab, Chaldean Arabian omelettes Arab World
  • Obit: Persecuted by Israel and US, Salah dies American Arabs
  • Calling for American Revolution II American Arabs
  • Christian religious medallions
    Taybeh’s annual OktoberFest to be held Sept. 16 & 17 Arab World
  • Palestinians salute Black Lives Matter movement Arab World

More Related Articles

Will Marine General Chief of Staff John F. Kelly reply to Marine Sgt. Bryce Lockwood and all USS Liberty Survivors? Arab World
Snowden Leaked NSA USS Liberty Documents and We Americans Remember Captain McGonagale Arab World
Photo from B'Tselem's 50 year exhibit showcasing Palestinians born in 1967. Photo courtesy of B'Tselem Time to rise above anger when confronting Israeli extremism American Arabs
Justin Amash In final vote before primary election, Amash votes for America over Israel American Arabs
Netanyahu exploits Charlie Hebdo for his own motives Bloggers
Kurds protest for independence. Photo courtesy of Abdennour Toumi Ahmet Uysal discusses Kurdish independence from Iraq Abdennour Toumi

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Ray Hanania's 4 times a week columns at https://RayHanania.com at Substack

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Photo courtesy of Journalist Abdennour Toumi
    France: Political Compromise vs Political Instability
    August 28, 2024
  • Zakia Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia
    Arabs eat Middle East food like they are making love
    June 27, 2024
  • Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
    Zwar ranked the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland suburbs
    June 8, 2024
  • Pictured: Rahm Emanuel, Afghan activist Salman Aftab who was co-chair of the Iftar dinner, and several non-Arab Muslim leaders. Also pictured is Ald. Joe Moore. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania for Arab News
    Comprehensive look at the failings of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    January 18, 2024
  • NEWSWIRE
  • CAIR Logo. Council on American Islamic Relations
    CAIR Condemns MIT for banning Class President from Graduation Ceremony over Anti-Genocide speech
    June 1, 2025
  • Arab American community liaison Hassan Nijem, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas and Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Basta at the Arab American Heritage Month event hosted by Pappas’s office.
    Pappas honors Arab American business and community leaders for Heritage Month
    April 29, 2025
  • 04-28-25 Pappas Arab Heritage Month
    Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas recognizes Arab American Heritage Month by honoring business and community leaders
    April 27, 2025
  • Mike Ghouse
    Celebration of 500th Interfaith Marriage Ceremony
    February 14, 2025

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

  • NEWS
  • photo credit author Nehemia Gershuni-Aylho www.NGPhoto.biz and Wikipedia
    Emergency Court Motions to Stop Elbit Drone Parts Shipment via Frankfurt Airport 
    June 7, 2025
  • American Journalist Shireen Abu Akleh murdered by Israeli soldiers May 11, 2022
    Documentary names soldier it says killed Shireen Abu Akleh in 2022
    June 1, 2025
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Faisal Abbas Book Anecdotes
    Book Review: Arab author shares his anecdotes living in the United Kingdom
    October 22, 2024
  • Columnist Ray Hanania at the ADC Convention in Dearborn with the author Susan Abulhawa
    Book Review: Mornings in Jenin bySusan Abulhawa
    September 14, 2024
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • Television set and remote. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
    MBC GROUP unveils MBCNOW, its brand-new groundbreaking entertainment service aggregator
    February 24, 2025
  • ArabCon 2024 Gala Program features Dr. Cornel West, Macklemore, and more
    September 6, 2024
  • New-iTunes-1400-x-1400-The-Ray-Hanania-Show-Podcast-Icon-300-x-300.jpg
  • terroristbookcover-300-x-300.jpg
  • powerpr300x300ad.jpg
  • Podcast-iTunes-Logo-Chi-City-Hall-1985.jpg
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
Arab News Newspaper Logo
Read the Arab News, the leading English language newspaper in the MIddle East

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Click here to get information on The Ray Hanania Radio Show and its podcasts

Copyright © 2025 The Arab Daily News.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme