The National Military Organization in Israel (Irgun) 1930-1948

Abstract

The Irgun was founded in 1931 as a breakaway from the Haganah، led by Abraham Tehome. In 1937، Jabotinsky، the leader of the Corrective Movement، assumed leadership of the organization. The goal of its establishment was to help world Jews immigrate to Palestine. In 1944، the organization began its terrorist activities against the British occupation authorities due to attempts to liquidate its members in Palestine. In preparation for declaring the establishment of the Jewish state، it launched attacks on British police stations as well as attacking and killing soldiers of the occupation authorities.

In 1948، David Ben-Gurion announced the establishment of the State of Israel and the establishment of the Israeli Defense Army، and called on all organizations to join it. The Irgun initially refused to merge with the Israeli army، but the government’s threat to enter into a war with this organization forced the Irgun to agree to integrate into this army.

This organization sided with Britain at the outbreak of World War II, but after the war, it dedicated its efforts to supporting the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine following Britain's withdrawal. It engaged in armed conflict with the British occupation authorities, escalating to bombing government buildings and kidnapping and killing British soldiers.

The Irgun's transgressions reached such a point that it clashed with the Israeli government itself after the latter decided to establish the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and integrate all its affiliated organizations into it. The Irgun refused to merge into the IDF and surrender its weapons, prompting the government to threaten armed conflict, which ultimately forced the organization to comply and integrate.