The Labor Battalion
Inspired by Joseph
Trumpeldor, the Labor Battalion, the first country-wide commune of Jewish
workers in Palestine, was formed in the summer of 1920 by a group of young
people from Russia. They were subsequently joined by many Third
Aliya pioneers. The Battalion was meant to create a general commune of
Palestinian Jewish workers, based on cooperation. Its brief period of activity
is noted for constant ferment, arguments and fractiousness.
The Labor Battalion played an important pioneering role in
rural settlement and in defense. Its emissaries were active in the Halutz
(Pioneer) movement in Europe, especially in Poland. Over 2,000 pioneers passed
through its ranks.
Sources: Israeli
Foreign Ministry |