Version 1: Mon, May 27, 2024
Additional information:
In Israel the Push to Destroy Jerusalem’s Iconic Al-Aqsa Mosque Goes Mainstream by Whitney Webb - Mint Press News - June 24th, 2019 - First of a series of articles that includes the role played by former Jewish terrorists influencing the “Temple” movement.
The veil is being torn: the hidden truths of Jabotinsky and Netanyahu by Thierry Meyssan - Voltaire Network - Jan 25, 2024
Looking for information on Jewish terrorist groups in the 1940s, in particular the Irgun and Lehi gangs and their attack on the King David Hotel and the assassination of Folke Bernadotte. I am assuming they were both influenced by Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Why were two groups? Were there ideological differences? Also what happened to the peope involved after Israel was established as a state? For example was the killer of Folke Bernadotte prosecuted? Please direct me to academic sources and sites.
Mistral.AI
Sure, I’d be happy to help you find information on these topics. Here’s a brief overview in markdown format, along with some academic sources and sites that you can explore for more detailed information.
Jewish Terrorist Groups in the 1940s
Irgun
The Irgun, also known as the Irgun Zvai Leumi (National Military Organization), was a right-wing Zionist paramilitary group that operated in British Mandate Palestine between 1931 and 1948. The Irgun was influenced by the ideology of Ze’ev Jabotinsky, who advocated for the establishment of a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan River.
- For more information, you can check out this article: Bruce Hoffman, “Anonymous Soldiers: The Struggle for Israel, 1917-1947” (Knopf, 2015)
Lehi
The Lehi, also known as the Stern Gang, was a more radical offshoot of the Irgun. The group was formed in 1940 by Avraham Stern, who believed that the Irgun was not doing enough to drive the British out of Palestine. The Lehi was responsible for several high-profile assassinations, including that of Folke Bernadotte.
- For more information, you can check out this article: Yehuda Bauer, “From Diplomacy to Resistance: A History of Jewish Palestine, 1939-1945” (Columbia University Press, 2011)
Attack on the King David Hotel
The King David Hotel bombing was a terrorist attack carried out by the Irgun on July 22, 1946. The bombing resulted in the deaths of 91 people and is considered one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in history.
- For more information, you can check out this article: Tom Segev, “One Palestine, Complete: Jews and Arabs under the British Mandate” (Metropolitan Books, 2001)
Assassination of Folke Bernadotte
Folke Bernadotte, a Swedish diplomat and United Nations mediator, was assassinated by the Lehi on September 17, 1948. The Lehi believed that Bernadotte’s peace plan was not in the best interests of the Jewish people.
- For more information, you can check out this article: Avi Shlaim, “The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World” (W. W. Norton & Company, 2014)
Aftermath
After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Irgun and Lehi were disbanded. Many of the members of these groups went on to hold prominent positions in Israeli politics and society. The killer of Folke Bernadotte, Yehoshua Cohen, was never prosecuted for the crime.
- For more information, you can check out this article: Idith Zertal, “Israel’s Holocaust and the Politics of Nationhood” (Cambridge University Press, 2005)
Gemini
Jewish Militant Groups in 1940s Palestine: Irgun, Lehi, and the Legacy of Violence
The 1940s in British Mandate Palestine were a period of intense violence and political upheaval. Two prominent Jewish militant groups, the Irgun and Lehi, emerged during this time, employing tactics widely condemned as terrorism.
The Groups and their Actions:
- Irgun (Etzel): Founded in 1931 as a splinter group
from the Haganah (mainstream Jewish self-defense organization), the
Irgun advocated for a more aggressive approach to achieving Zionist
goals. They targeted British authorities and infrastructure, with the
King David Hotel bombing in 1946 being a notorious
example. While some see them as freedom fighters, others consider them
terrorists due to civilian casualties.
- Lehi (Stern Gang): Formed in 1942 by followers of Avraham Stern, Lehi was even more radical than the Irgun. They focused on assassinations, including British officials and, in 1948, UN mediator Folke Bernadotte, whom they accused of pro-Arab bias.
Ideological Differences:
Both groups were influenced by Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s Revisionist Zionism, which emphasized a forceful response to British restrictions on Jewish immigration and land ownership. However, they diverged in tactics:
- The Irgun aimed to disrupt British rule and create a Greater Israel through armed struggle.
- Lehi rejected British legitimacy entirely and advocated for a more extreme, uncompromising approach.
Post-Israeli Statehood:
The creation of Israel in 1948 led to the dissolution of both groups. However, their legacies remain complex and debated:
- Menachem Begin, a former Irgun leader, became an Israeli Prime
Minister.
- Lehi members, including some suspected of involvement in Bernadotte’s assassination, were never prosecuted.
- Some view these groups as heroes who fought for Jewish self-determination, while others condemn their violent methods and civilian casualties.
Academic Sources:
- “Irgun” Wikipedia
- “Lehi” Wikipedia
- “Zionist political violence” Wikipedia
- Factsheet: Jewish Terrorism under the British Mandate by Centre for Jewish Peace in the Middle East
ChatGPT
Overview
During the 1940s, two prominent Jewish militant organizations operated in Palestine: Irgun (also known as Etzel) and Lehi (also known as the Stern Gang). Both groups were committed to the establishment of a Jewish state and employed violent tactics to achieve their aims.
Influences and Origins
Both Irgun and Lehi were influenced by Ze’ev Jabotinsky, a Zionist leader who advocated for Revisionist Zionism, which emphasized the establishment of a Jewish state on both sides of the Jordan River through all necessary means, including force. Jabotinsky’s ideology inspired a more militant approach compared to the mainstream Zionist organizations led by figures like David Ben-Gurion.
Formation and Ideological Differences
Irgun (Etzel)
- Formation: Irgun was formed in 1931 as a breakaway from the Haganah, the main Jewish paramilitary organization.
- Ideology: Irgun adopted a more aggressive stance than the Haganah, advocating for immediate action against both British forces and Arab populations to establish a Jewish state.
- Key Actions: Irgun is most famous for the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on July 22, 1946, which was the British administrative headquarters for Palestine. The attack resulted in 91 deaths.
Lehi (Stern Gang)
- Formation: Lehi was formed in 1940 by Avraham Stern after splitting from Irgun due to differences over cooperation with the British during World War II. Stern believed that fighting the British should continue despite the war against Nazi Germany.
- Ideology: Lehi was even more radical than Irgun, advocating for the use of terror to expel the British and establish a Jewish state. They also sought alliances with other enemies of Britain, including Nazi Germany at one point.
- Key Actions: Lehi is notorious for the assassination of the UN mediator Folke Bernadotte on September 17, 1948. Bernadotte was mediating negotiations during the Arab-Israeli conflict, and his proposals were seen as unfavorable to Jewish interests by Lehi.
Post-Statehood
After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the members and leaders of these groups integrated into Israeli society in various ways.
Integration into the State
- Irgun: Many Irgun members, including Menachem Begin, who later became the Prime Minister of Israel, joined the newly formed Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and other state institutions.
- Lehi: Members of Lehi also integrated into the IDF. Some, like Yitzhak Shamir, who would become Prime Minister, had significant political careers.
Legal Consequences
- King David Hotel Bombing: The perpetrators of the King David Hotel bombing were never prosecuted by Israeli authorities. The attack was viewed by many in the emerging state as a legitimate act of resistance against British colonial rule.
- Assassination of Folke Bernadotte: The assassination of Bernadotte was officially condemned by the Israeli government. However, those directly involved in the killing were granted amnesty under the General Amnesty Law passed in 1949. Yehoshua Cohen, one of the key figures in the assassination, was never prosecuted and lived openly in Israel.
Academic Sources and References
- Books:
- “The Revolt: Story of the Irgun” by Menachem Begin. A firsthand account by the Irgun leader.
- “Soldiers of Zion: The Jewish Freedom Fighters in the British Mandate of Palestine” by David Niv. Provides an in-depth look at both Irgun and Lehi.
- “The Stern Gang: Ideology, Politics, and Terror, 1940-1949” by Joseph Heller. Explores the ideology and actions of Lehi.
- Articles:
- “Terrorism in Pre-State Israel: Ideology, Politics, and Violence” by Bruce Hoffman. Published in the journal Studies in Conflict & Terrorism.
- “The King David Hotel Bombing: The Dynamics of Terrorism in the Middle East” by Benny Morris. Available in the journal Middle Eastern Studies.
- Websites:
- Jewish Virtual Library: Provides comprehensive entries on Irgun and Lehi.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: Offers historical context and detailed articles on the organizations and their key figures.
These sources provide a comprehensive understanding of the formation, actions, and legacy of Irgun and Lehi, as well as the broader context of Jewish militant activities in the 1940s.
Started: Mon, May 27, 2024
