The Arab Revolt in Palestine was a response to the increasing number of Jewish refugees entering the region, which convinced the Arabs that they needed to act to prevent the Jews from becoming a majority in the land. The first phase of the revolt began with a general strike in April 1936 and was characterized by attacks on Jewish and British targets. The strike led to the Yishuv's leaders recognizing the need for economic independence, which led to the opening of the Tel Aviv port. The British initially used minimal force to combat the revolt. The second phase began in the summer of 1937, when a British district commissioner was murdered. In response, the British actively suppressed the revolt, including expelling the Mufti, cooperating with the Haganah, and developing a large Jewish police force. The revolt was ultimately quashed due to the tactics of Orde Wingate and his night squads, which included preemptive raids on Arab villages.