Zionist Paramilitary Organisations The 'Irgun'

In the Beginning Haganah and the schism Revisionist Zionism Ze’ev Jabotinsky

Differences Yishuv and the World Zionist Organisation Youth Propaganda Increasing militarism and training

Arab Revolt April 1937 Total breakaway from Haganah Military training in practice An “eye for an eye” retaliation November 1937 An increase in attacks

A Second Irgun Split? David Raziel - Revisionist - Arabs are the enemy Avraham Stern - Political independence - British are the enemy

The ‘White Paper’ Regulates immigration and landownership Rejected by both Arabs and Zionist Organisations Escalation of violence Arrests at Headquarters World War I Truces

Stern Succeeds (July 17, 1940) Stern calls for… - End to truce with Britain - Disassociation from Revisionist party Members split Death of Raziel Resurgence against the Nazis

“The Revolt” British remain adamant no Jewish units of the army to be created Menachem Begin arrives; newfound expectations 1 Feb, 1944: Irgun announces revolt vs. British Mandatory Govt. “The White Paper is still in effect. It is enforced, despite the betrayal of the Arabs and the loyalty of the Jews; “

“The Revolt” Demand transfer to rule of Jewish Govt. Mass evacuation of European Jews Signing of treaties with any state that recognises Jewish state's sovereignty Granting of social justice to state's residence Full equality with Arab population NB. initially weak campaign

“The Revolt” First attack: 12 February 1944; no casualties Pre-Yom Kippur 1944 No British officers to come to Western Wall Attacking of police stations, weapons stolen Begin, The Revolt (1977) “History and experience taught us that if we are able to destroy the prestige of the British in Palestine, the regime will break.”

Jewish Resistance Movement Labour Party elected, 1945: does not see end of anti- Zionism in Britain JRM formed Consolidated armed resistance to the British 1946: worsening tensions  Operation Agatha Police and military operation by British officers Attempted to dissuade Zionist paramilitary groups from continuing attacks against British troops  The Manchester Guardian: “British firmness” brought about more terrorism

Bombing of the King David Hotel Jerusalem, 22 July deaths (various nationalities), 46 injured Most deadly attack of Mandate era KDH = site of central offices of British Mandatory authorities of Palestine Ambiguity over warning/hoax  Sir John Shaw case

Jewish Resistance Movement “The Night of the Beatings” Following 18 years, 18 beatings The Sergeants Affair Seen as a major influence on the British govt. to end the Mandate and withdraw from Palestine completely

The IDF and the Altalena Affair 14 May 1948: Establishment of state of Israel Followed by establishment of Israel Defence Forces June 1: Begin and Yisrael Galili's agreement June 20: Altalena arrives on Israeli shores Violation of ceasefire and UNSC Res. 50 Ben Gurion: “If [Begin does not cease his activities], we will open fire!”

The IDF and the Altalena Affair Two confrontations: Kfar Vitkin and Tel Aviv Uri Avnery (writer; founder of Israeli peace movement) Considered Begin's restraint hugely influential Ben Gurion eventually orders shelling of Altalena 3 IDF dead; 16 Irgun dead, 200 captured  Irgun militants fully integrated NB. Jerusalem Battalion