San Simon priory, of the Greek - orthodox sect, stands on a hill in the western part of Katamon's neighborhood in Jerusalem and views Rechavia and Qiriat Shmuel neighborhoods. In April 1948 an Arab force of 300 warriors resided there, armed with guns, mortars, machine guns and a lot of ammunition. They were brought from Syria, Iraq, Nablus and Hebron, and leading them was Abu Daya, a relative of the commander of the Arab forces in Jerusalem area, Abed al- Qadir al- Husayni.