Background & Overview
Armed Jewish underground organization, founded in 1931 by a group of Haganah commanders, who left the Haganah in protest against its
defense charter. In April 1937, during the Arab riots, the
organization split—about half its members returned to the Haganah.
The rest formed a new Irgun Zeva'i Le'umi (abbr. Etzel), which was
ideologically linked with the Revisionist Movement and accepted the
authority of its leader, Vladimir Jabotinsky.
Etzel rejected the “restraint” policy of the Haganah and carried out
armed reprisals against Arabs, which were condemned by the Jewish
Agency. Many of its members were arrested by the British authorities;
one of them, Shlomo Ben Yosef, was hanged for shooting an Arab bus.
After the publication of the White Paper in May 1939, Etzel directed
its activities against the British Mandatory autorities.
At the outbreak of World War II, the organization declared a truce,
which led to a second split (see Lohamei Herut Yisrael). Etzel
members joined the British Army's Palestinian units and later the
Jewish Brigade.
From 1943 Etzel was headed by Menachem Begin. In February 1944, Etzel
declared war against the British administration. It attacked and blew
up government offices, military installations and police stations. The
Jewish Agency and the Haganah moved against the Etzel in a campaign
nicknamed the Sezon. Etzel joined the Jewish Resistance Movement and
after its disintegration in August 1946, Etzel continued attacks on
British military and government objectives.
In April 1947, four members of the organization were hanged in Acre
prison. In May 1947, Etzel broke into the fortress at Acre and freed
41 prisoners. In July 1947, when 3 other Etzel members were executed,
the I.Z.L. hanged two British sergeants.
After the Declaration of Independence, the Etzel high command offered
to disband the organization and integrate its members into the army of
the new Jewish state. Full integration was achieved in September
1948.
Sources: The Pedagogic
Center, The Department for Jewish Zionist Education, The Jewish Agency for
Israel, (c) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, Director: Dr. Motti Friedman, Webmaster:
Esther Carciente |