Eliyahu Golomb

(1893 - 1945)

Eliayahu Golomb was instrumental in the development of Jewish self-defense forces. He claimed that the Jewish masses must be mobilized into fighting units capable of defending Zionist goals. Golomb was a founding member of the Haganah and served on its Command Council. He travelled extensively, purchasing arms for Haganah fighters. The organization and financing of "illegal" immigration in the late 1930's was in large part directed by Golomb.

Golomb saw the Haganah as an integral part of the Zionist Movement, and thus objected to the existence of more radical defense organizations, such as the Irgun Tzeva'i Le'umi. He strongly disagreed with those who supported indiscriminate attacks against Arabs. At the same time, he did advocate active confrontation with Arab aggressors. Along with Berl Katznelson, Golomb spent much time working with Vladimir Jabotinsky of the Revisionist party trying to unify defense efforts among Jews. Golomb's home was later converted into a museum of the Haganah. The museum, Beit Eliayahu, is located in Tel Aviv.