This week, we’re examining the underground militias that preceded the IDF and looking at the divisions that pitted Jew against Jew in pre-State Israel. Lechi. Irgun. Haganah. We ask who these groups were, what caused them to - briefly - unite and what led them to ultimately disband.

This is one of the more difficult periods in Israeli history and a subject that raises a lot of questions. After all, we aren’t talking about polite squabbles. This was real life-on-the-line-type of disagreements between Jewish groups that led to intimidation, violence and even assassinations and bombings.

The violence and actions of the period we’re talking about, from the 1930s to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 showed the British (who ruled Palestine at the time) and the rest of the international community how important the establishment of a Jewish state meant to the Jewish people.

But did obtaining the Zionist dream come at the expense of morals, especially Jewish morals?

What do you think? Is violence ever a legitimate way to achieve particular goals?

Let us know your reactions in the comments below.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:04 Zionism
01:51 British military control of Palestine
02:08 Socialist Zionism
02:35 Hagana
03:20 Vladimir Jabotinsky and Revisionist Zionism
03:51 Irgun and the 1939 White Paper
04:28 Difference between Socialist and Revisionist Zionism
04:58 To fight the British during WWII or not to fight the British?
05:45 Lechi / The Stern Gang
06:21 Coordination with Italian fascists and German Nazis
07:06 Opposition from New Yishuv leadership
07:57 The Hunting Season (The Saison)
08:32 The Struggle and the United Resistance Movement
10:00 The Black Sabbath
10:54 Bombing of the King David Hotel
12:32 Importance to the movements of establishing a Jewish state
13:19 A dirty fight?
13:33 Outro

Subscribe and turn on your notifications so you don’t miss future uploads!
https://www.youtube.com/UNPACKED?sub_...

Let’s connect:
Website — https://www.jewishunpacked.com
Instagram —   / jewishunpacked  
Twitter —   / jewishunpacked  
TikTok —   / jewishunpacked  
Facebook —   / jewishunpacked  

------------
Photo/Video Credit:
GPO Israel/KLUGER ZOLTAN/FRITZ COHEN/Milner Moshe/Pinn Hanns
Courtesy of Jabotinsky Institute
Courtesy of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Courtesy of Beit Hatfusot
Courtesy of Israel State Archives

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

Executive Producers:
Shevi Peters
Adam Milstein

Platinum Level:
Rachel & Jack ז”ל Gindi Family Foundation

Gold Level:
Lily and Kam Babaoff

This series would not be possible without the generous support of:
The Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation
-----------
About History of Israel Explained: This series casts a new perspective on the history of the modern State of Israel, both pre and post 1948. We explore the inspiring highs and heartbreaking lows, and the everyday struggles of ordinary people. Understand how the Jewish State came to be by meeting prominent Zionist figures and learning about key historical events. Explore aspects of Israeli society, from its famous military to the meaning of the national anthem, and more.

About Unpacked: We provide nuanced insights by unpacking all things Jewish. People are complex and complicated — yet we’re constantly being pushed to oversimplify our world. At Unpacked we know that being complex makes us more interesting. Because of this, we break the world down with nuance and insight to drive your curiosity and challenge your thinking.

#Israel #IDF #History