PalestineRemembered (talk | contribs) IZL and Stern gang "inaugurated a reign of terror on the Palestinian Jewish community" letter signed by Albert Einstein. |
a) we still need reliable sources. "JFJP" doesn't count, and b) even if it were true, it's just an opinion, and should be stated as such - it shouldn't lead as fact |
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'''Zionist political violence''' in the [[British Mandate of Palestine]] occurred in the [[1930s]] and [[1940s]], primarily targeting [[United Kingdom|British]] policemen and soldiers. [[Irgun]] and [[Lehi (group)|Lehi]], militant Zionist organizations, |
'''Zionist political violence''' in the [[British Mandate of Palestine]] occurred in the [[1930s]] and [[1940s]], primarily targeting [[United Kingdom|British]] policemen and soldiers. [[Irgun]] and [[Lehi (group)|Lehi]], militant Zionist organizations, also targeted [[United Nations]]-personnel, [[Jew]]s suspected of collaborating with the British, and other non-Jewish civilians in response to [[Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict#Prior to 1940-45|attacks]] against Jewish communities. The British government described such political violence as "Jewish" or "Zionist" terrorism. |
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http://www.jfjfp.org/BackgroundN/einstein_et_al.htm (Jews For Justice for Palestinians) from a letter signed by Albert Einstein and 27 other prominent Jews in The New York Times December 4, 1948. The letter refers to ''"IZL and Stern groups"'' and says ''"the terrorists intimidated the population."''.</ref> and these groups also targeted [[United Nations]]-personnel and non-Jewish civilians in response to [[Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict#Prior to 1940-45|attacks]] against Jewish communities. The British government described such political violence as "Jewish" or "Zionist" terrorism. |
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During the [[1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]] mainstream Zionists, represented by the [[Vaad Leumi]] and the [[Haganah]], practiced the policy of [[Havlagah]] (restraint), while Irgun members did not obey this policy and called themselves "Havlagah breakers." |
During the [[1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine]] mainstream Zionists, represented by the [[Vaad Leumi]] and the [[Haganah]], practiced the policy of [[Havlagah]] (restraint), while Irgun members did not obey this policy and called themselves "Havlagah breakers." |
Revision as of 15:43, 5 June 2007
Zionist political violence in the British Mandate of Palestine occurred in the 1930s and 1940s, primarily targeting British policemen and soldiers. Irgun and Lehi, militant Zionist organizations, also targeted United Nations-personnel, Jews suspected of collaborating with the British, and other non-Jewish civilians in response to attacks against Jewish communities. The British government described such political violence as "Jewish" or "Zionist" terrorism.
During the 1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine mainstream Zionists, represented by the Vaad Leumi and the Haganah, practiced the policy of Havlagah (restraint), while Irgun members did not obey this policy and called themselves "Havlagah breakers."
After the beginning of World War II the Haganah and Irgun suspended their activity against the British in support of the war against Nazi Germany. In 1944, after the defeat of the Nazis was assured, the Irgun resumed attacks. The smaller Lehi continued anti-British attacks and direct action throughout the war.
The official leadership of the Yishuv was opposed to these activities and demanded their cessation. After the assassination of Lord Moyne, the Jewish Agency Executive condemned the act and decided on a series of measures against what they called "terrorist organizations" in Palestine. Although J. Bowyer Bell writes:
- "In June 1975, the Egyptian government released the bodies of Eliahu Hakim and Eliahu Bet-Zouri, thirty years after the assassination of Lord Moyne, in return for twenty Arabs jailed in Israel as fedayeen or intelligence agents. In Jerusalem the two were given a heroes' burial in the Mount Herzl military cemetery, the resting place of Israeli premiers and presidents."[1](also corroborated by other accounts[2][3])
According to Yehuda Lapidot, the Hunting Season was "the code-name for the Haganah's persecution of the Irgun, aimed at putting an end to its activities." He says that many of those handed over to the British had no connection to Irgun terrorism, but were active members of the Revisionist party, political opponents of the Jewish Agency.[4]
Irgun and Lehi attacks
- 1937-1939 The Irgun conducted a campaign of violence against civilians resulting in the deaths of at least 250.
- November 1944 Lehi assassinated British minister Lord Moyne in Cairo.
- 1944-1945 The killings of several suspected collaborators with the Haganah and the British mandate government during the Hunting Season.
- July 26, 1946 The bombing of British headquarters at the King David Hotel, killing 91 people — 28 British, 41 Arab, 17 Jewish, and 5 others. Around 45 people were injured. A warning was sent before the explosion, but the British authorities claimed they received it too late to act on it.
- 1946 Railways and British military airfields were attacked several times.
- 1946 The bombing by the Irgun of the British Embassy in Rome.
- 1947 The reprisal killing of two British sergeants who had been taken prisoner in response to British execution of two Irgun members in Akko prison.
- September 1948, Lehi assassination of the UN mediator Count Bernadotte, whom Lehi accused of a pro-Arab stance during the cease-fire negotiations.
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
- April 1948 the Deir Yassin massacre carried out by the Irgun and Lehi.
See also
- Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Palestinian political violence
- Political terrorism
- Religious terrorism
References
- ^ "Terror Out of Zion: Fight for Israeli independence" by J Bowyer Bell, Dublin Academy Press, 1977
- ^ [http://www.parl.gc.ca/38/1/parlbus/chambus/senate/jour-e/031jr_2005-02-03-E.htm?Language=E&Parl=38&Ses=1 Journals of the Senate (Unrevised) 1st Session, 38th Parliament, Issue 31, Thursday, February 3, 2005, 1:30 p.m.]
- ^ Israel Today & Always: Remembering Israel's Martyrs From its Third Rebirth into Statehood, Dr. Howard S. Brand, DSW, Ph.D., August 11, 2000
- ^ The "Hunting Season" (1945) by Yehuda Lapidot (Jewish Virtual Library)
Further reading
- J. Bowyer Bell (1977). Terror out of Zion: Irgun Zvai Leumi, LEHI, and the Palestine underground, 1929-1949. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0-312-79205-0.