Israel From Terrorist Groups to State Terrorism
June 10, 1999 - 0:0
Part 4 --TEHRAN -- Irgun (Irgun Zui Leumi) is a Hebrew word used for National Military Organization of the Jews. Irgun was not satisfied with the defensive power of Hagana against the attacks of the Arabs and to this very reason it paid more attention to military issues. Following the publication of White Book in 1939, Irgun started its activities against Britain and coincident with the beginning of the World War II it agreed with truce.
Then another faction was formed in Irgun and an extreme hardline wing led by Abraham Stern paved the way for formation of a group called Lohamei Hirut Israel (combatants for freedom of Israel). At the beginning of its activity, the new group contacted the axis governments and asked them to agree with the independence of the Jews in Palestine. In order to achieve its goals, the said organization started to assassinate different personalities.
At the end of the World War II, Hagana, Irgun and Luha jointly conducted sabotage activities. In July 1946, Irgun exploded the Command Office of the British Army and the Secretariat of the Palestinian state in Malik Davoud Hotel in Bait-ul-Moqaddas. At that time, the number of Irgun members stood at 5,000. Following UN decision to divide Palestinian territory on November 29, 1947, Irgun launched violent activities.
During one of its most bloodiest operations, Irgun massacred over 254 residents of Dir Yassin near Bait-ul-Moqaddas. The increasing violence by Irgun terrorists made the interim state of Israel to dissolve the terrorist group in September 1948. Several immigrant Jews illegally entered the Palestinian lands by Irgun. After December 1943, the group was led by the Zionist and Menachem Begin who later became prime minister.
Following the complete dissolution of Irgun, Begin founded a new party called Hirut to continue his activities and struggle against the Arab Palestinians under a legal mask. Terrorist Activities Conducted by Palmah February, 14 & 15, 1938: A force, combined with the Third battalion of Palmah, attacked the Sa'Sa' Village. During the attack, which was called exemplary for years for its high standard of performance, 20 houses along with their residents were blown up.
About 60 Arabs, mostly women and children were killed. December, 30 & 31, 1947: The joint forces of Brigade Cremel and the first Battalion of Palmah attacked Balad-ul-Sheikh Village under the leadership of Haim Afinoam. During the operation over 60 Arabs were killed in their houses. The forces entered the villages and started operation in the houses. April 12, 1948: Palmah attacked Qelunia Village. As a result of the explosion of houses at least 14 were killed.
July 12, 1948: Following the entrance of the Zionist groups in the city of Lad, the local Arabs rose. The Yaftah soldiers of Palmah army opened fire to the people and suppressed the revolt within few hours in a rude manner. During the clashes 250 Arabs were killed. Terrorist Activities Conducted by Stern The terrorist group of Stern led by Abraham Stern withdrew from the new Zionist group of Revisionists. The reason behind the withdrawal was that Stern did not agree with Jabotinsky who believed that the Irgun members should stop terrorist activities against the Britishers. Among Irgun's objectives were: 1. The Jews as a tribe, chosen by God, are worthy to enjoy the divine promise in the Old Testament and have the right to use the resources existed between Nile and Euphrates. 2. The residents of the Palestinian lands should be dislocated so that the Palestinians be forced out of the lands and the Jewish tribes replace them.
Since the Stern group believed that the axis governments will win, it tried to come closer to Nazis and Fascists. Some years later when Yitzhak Shamir was elected as the prime minister of Israel, he made an interview with the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot in October 1983. Explaining about Stern group's relations with Fascists and Nazis, he said, "Stern had a plan to support Italy and contact with Germany, so that through the two countries it can pave the ground for mass immigration of the Jews to Palestine. But since I was against their plan I withdrew from Stern and when afterwards they set aside the plan I joined the group." The members of Stern maintained that the Nazis are just after annoying the Jews and are not their enemy, but, at the same time they referred to the Britishers who hindered their immigration to Palestine as the enemy of the Jews. Following the death of its leader Abraham Stern, the Stern group was officially dissolved on September 1, 1942. In this day, Yitzhak Shamir along with Eliyahu Giladi, organized Stern in a new form with the name of Lohamei Hirut Israel (LHI). Then Shamir personally issued the death sentence of Giladi, who intended to launch an all-out attack against the heads of International Zionism Organization and kill many of them, including Bin Guriun, who were against the Stern policies.
Some of the terrorist activities by the group are as follows: January 1942: The Stern group deceived two British security officers and took them to a place in Tel Aviv. As the two entered the place an explosion happened and they were killed as a result. April 22, 1942: The assassination attempt on the chief police inspector and one of his assistants failed.
It was said that Stern was responsible for the attack. November 6, 1944: The most famous government official who was assassinated by the terrorist organizations was the British ambassador to Middle East Lord Moyne during that time. He was assassinated on the day by an armed man while he was getting out of his car outside his private residence in Cairo about 13:00 o'clock.
(To Be Continued on Thursdays)
Then another faction was formed in Irgun and an extreme hardline wing led by Abraham Stern paved the way for formation of a group called Lohamei Hirut Israel (combatants for freedom of Israel). At the beginning of its activity, the new group contacted the axis governments and asked them to agree with the independence of the Jews in Palestine. In order to achieve its goals, the said organization started to assassinate different personalities.
At the end of the World War II, Hagana, Irgun and Luha jointly conducted sabotage activities. In July 1946, Irgun exploded the Command Office of the British Army and the Secretariat of the Palestinian state in Malik Davoud Hotel in Bait-ul-Moqaddas. At that time, the number of Irgun members stood at 5,000. Following UN decision to divide Palestinian territory on November 29, 1947, Irgun launched violent activities.
During one of its most bloodiest operations, Irgun massacred over 254 residents of Dir Yassin near Bait-ul-Moqaddas. The increasing violence by Irgun terrorists made the interim state of Israel to dissolve the terrorist group in September 1948. Several immigrant Jews illegally entered the Palestinian lands by Irgun. After December 1943, the group was led by the Zionist and Menachem Begin who later became prime minister.
Following the complete dissolution of Irgun, Begin founded a new party called Hirut to continue his activities and struggle against the Arab Palestinians under a legal mask. Terrorist Activities Conducted by Palmah February, 14 & 15, 1938: A force, combined with the Third battalion of Palmah, attacked the Sa'Sa' Village. During the attack, which was called exemplary for years for its high standard of performance, 20 houses along with their residents were blown up.
About 60 Arabs, mostly women and children were killed. December, 30 & 31, 1947: The joint forces of Brigade Cremel and the first Battalion of Palmah attacked Balad-ul-Sheikh Village under the leadership of Haim Afinoam. During the operation over 60 Arabs were killed in their houses. The forces entered the villages and started operation in the houses. April 12, 1948: Palmah attacked Qelunia Village. As a result of the explosion of houses at least 14 were killed.
July 12, 1948: Following the entrance of the Zionist groups in the city of Lad, the local Arabs rose. The Yaftah soldiers of Palmah army opened fire to the people and suppressed the revolt within few hours in a rude manner. During the clashes 250 Arabs were killed. Terrorist Activities Conducted by Stern The terrorist group of Stern led by Abraham Stern withdrew from the new Zionist group of Revisionists. The reason behind the withdrawal was that Stern did not agree with Jabotinsky who believed that the Irgun members should stop terrorist activities against the Britishers. Among Irgun's objectives were: 1. The Jews as a tribe, chosen by God, are worthy to enjoy the divine promise in the Old Testament and have the right to use the resources existed between Nile and Euphrates. 2. The residents of the Palestinian lands should be dislocated so that the Palestinians be forced out of the lands and the Jewish tribes replace them.
Since the Stern group believed that the axis governments will win, it tried to come closer to Nazis and Fascists. Some years later when Yitzhak Shamir was elected as the prime minister of Israel, he made an interview with the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot in October 1983. Explaining about Stern group's relations with Fascists and Nazis, he said, "Stern had a plan to support Italy and contact with Germany, so that through the two countries it can pave the ground for mass immigration of the Jews to Palestine. But since I was against their plan I withdrew from Stern and when afterwards they set aside the plan I joined the group." The members of Stern maintained that the Nazis are just after annoying the Jews and are not their enemy, but, at the same time they referred to the Britishers who hindered their immigration to Palestine as the enemy of the Jews. Following the death of its leader Abraham Stern, the Stern group was officially dissolved on September 1, 1942. In this day, Yitzhak Shamir along with Eliyahu Giladi, organized Stern in a new form with the name of Lohamei Hirut Israel (LHI). Then Shamir personally issued the death sentence of Giladi, who intended to launch an all-out attack against the heads of International Zionism Organization and kill many of them, including Bin Guriun, who were against the Stern policies.
Some of the terrorist activities by the group are as follows: January 1942: The Stern group deceived two British security officers and took them to a place in Tel Aviv. As the two entered the place an explosion happened and they were killed as a result. April 22, 1942: The assassination attempt on the chief police inspector and one of his assistants failed.
It was said that Stern was responsible for the attack. November 6, 1944: The most famous government official who was assassinated by the terrorist organizations was the British ambassador to Middle East Lord Moyne during that time. He was assassinated on the day by an armed man while he was getting out of his car outside his private residence in Cairo about 13:00 o'clock.
(To Be Continued on Thursdays)