INSTANT LESSON – EPISODE 7 – A NEW BEGINNING

2.3. THE CONFLICT & RESOLUTION OF DIFFERENT JEWISH ARMIES – THE ALTALENA & THE IDF (2:27)

GOALS OF THE LESSON A. To describe the two main fighting forces of Jews prior to the State and even after the State was founded, and how they differed in ideologies and tactics B. To describe who these differences came to a head with the Altalena, and the tragedy that ensued. C. To demonstrate how the conflict was resolved and how the Israel Defense Forces was founded

SUMMARY Prior to the founding of the State, there were two main Jewish fighting forces battling both the British and the Arabs. Although they had combined briefly, essentially, each army represented the two different main political parties and views in Israel. The Haganah was the "mainstream" army representing the Jewish Agency, Labor and secularists who ran the pre-government during the British Mandate. The Irgun/Etzel forces were more radical in their thinking and tactics, and subscribed to a more right wing ideology established by Zeev Jabotinksy. Tension had always existed between these two groups and these two armies, even after the State was declared. The provisional government led by David Ben Gurion wanted one united army, but the Irgun forces, led by Menachem Begin, wanted to maintain their independence. This tension flared into actual conflict when the Irgun attempted to bring in many arms and weapons on the Altalena ship which docked near Tel Aviv. When Ben Gurion ordered the ship to be blown up, an armed battle erupted and 16 members of the Irgun died while the Haganah suffered the loss of three soldiers. A potential civil war was averted when Menachem Begin backed down and ordered his men to stop firing. Eventually some of the Irgun was absorbed into the Israeli army which was united under Ben Gurion, who was also Defense Minister, and renamed the Israel Defense Forces.

1. Describe the Haganah, Palmach, Irgun and Etzel. Analyze the differences between these different fighting forces. 2. Explain why Menachem Begin wanted to maintain his fighting forces (Irgun) even after the State was declared and why Ben Gurion wanted one united army under his command. 3. What happened with the Altalena ship? What prevented an all out civil war? How was the conflict ultimately resolved?

MAIN TALKING POINTS OF THE LESSON A. The Hagannah represented the mainstream army, supported by the left wing, Labor leaders, who founded the State of Israel. The Irgun under Menachem Begin and the Stern Gang represented more radical fighting forces with a right wing ideology following Zeev Jabotinksy. Both forces were helpful in fighting the Arabs and helped force the British to leave. B. After the founding of the State, Begin did not trust the Hagannah, since their ideology differed greatly from his own and those of his soldiers. Therefore, he wanted to retain his army even after the State of Israel was declared. Ben Gurion, however, said he could not run a country with many armies and many leaders, and insisted that the Irgun lay down their arms. C. When the Altalena came into Tel Aviv port with arms for the Irgun, Ben Gurion ordered the ship be sunk, and a "civil war" battled ensured with casualties on both sides. D. Menachem Begin, in order to keep the peace and help fight the Arabs, relented and laid down his arms. Some of his soldiers were absorbed into the Hagannah which became the new Israel Defense forces under David ben Gurion who was also the Minister of Defense.

Moral Dilemma You are Menachem Begin, commander of the Irgun forces, and you are standing aboard the Altalena ship. You have always demanded a separate army under your command, and do not trust Ben Gurion, his political views or his decisions. But you also know that a country cannot function unless properly its army is united as one. Ben Gurion demands that your forces come under his direct command. Now, when you tried to unload arms for your forces, Ben Gurion's Haganah has opened fire and has even killed some of your men. A battle is ensuing. If you continue to fight, many more of your soldiers will die at the hands of the Jewish Haganah army and it will tear the new State apart. If you give in, you will lose all your authority and everything you have worked for, politically and militarily. Should you surrender to Ben Gurion's demands and combine your forces to form one army or not? List the reasons to give in and the reasons not. What makes you ultimately decide to do what you do?

For further information, analysis, web sites and study by the teacher and or student on this topic, please refer to the Data Disk of Episode 7 and the Episode 7 Educators Guide. Feel free to contact Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel for any questions or issues ([email protected] or phone 212-444-1656 – note time difference to Israel when calling).