David Tidhar

(1897 - 1970)

Born in Jaffa, Tidhar volunteered for the Jewish Legion and helped defend the Jews of Jaffa during the Arab riots in 1921. A member of the Haganah, he joined the Palestine Police in 1922 and was commander of the new city of Jerusalem. In 1926 he became a private investigator, and in 1950 he became a full-time writer. He died in 1970.

Through his experience in the Jewish Legion, the Haganah and the Palestine Police, David Tidhar gained particular knowledge of Arab affairs and of the Mandatory government. In addition to serving in senior Jewish positions, he was always willing to share his knowledge with yishuv institutions, particularly the Jewish Agency. David Tidhar is probably best known for his series of 28 Balash (Detective) stories, although he also wrote a Who's Who in Eretz Yisrael, books on criminology and several memoirs.

Sources: Joint Authority for Jewish Zionist Education