Fighters from the Irgun and Lehi Zionist paramilitary groups attacked Deir Yassin near Jerusalem, killing over 100.

The Irgun, officially known by its full Hebrew title, Hā-ʾIrgun Ha-Tzvaʾī Ha-Leūmī b-Ērētz Yiśrāʾel, meaning "The National Military Organization in the Land of Israel," was a prominent Zionist paramilitary group that operated within Mandate Palestine. Active between 1931 and 1948, this organization is also frequently referred to by its Hebrew acronym, Etzel (אצ"ל), or simply as IZL. Its genesis can be traced back to a split from the Haganah, a larger and older Jewish paramilitary force dedicated to defense. Following this divergence, the Irgun was sometimes known as Haganah Bet (literally "Defense 'B'" or "Second Defense"), or alternatively as haHaganah haLeumit (The National Defense) or Hama'amad (The Stand). As the 1948 Arab–Israeli War commenced, marking the establishment of the State of Israel, Irgun members were ultimately absorbed into the nascent Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Ideology and Core Principles

The guiding philosophy behind the Irgun's actions was rooted firmly in Revisionist Zionism, a political ideology championed by Ze'ev Jabotinsky. His teachings formed the bedrock of the organization's policy, emphasizing several key tenets. According to historian Howard Sachar, Jabotinsky's vision dictated that "every Jew had the right to enter Palestine; only active retaliation would deter the Arabs; only Jewish armed force would ensure the Jewish state." This perspective shaped the Irgun's approach to confronting both the British Mandatory authorities and Arab opposition, prioritizing direct action and military strength as indispensable for achieving a Jewish state.

Notable Operations and Controversies

Among the Irgun's most widely recognized—and controversial—operations are two significant events that left indelible marks on the history of the region. The first was the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem on July 22, 1946. This attack targeted the administrative and military headquarters of the British Mandatory government. Another highly contentious event, carried out jointly with the Lehi (another Zionist paramilitary group, often referred to as the Stern Gang), was the Deir Yassin massacre on April 9, 1948.

The Irgun's methods and actions have led to its classification as a terrorist organization by various international bodies and governments. Specifically, Encyclopædia Britannica notes that the organization "committed acts of terrorism and assassination against the British, whom it regarded as illegal occupiers, and it was also violently anti-Arab." This designation was echoed by institutions such as the United Nations, the British government, and the United States government, as well as prominent media outlets like The New York Times, the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry, the 1946 Zionist Congress, and the Jewish Agency. However, some academics, including Bruce Hoffman and Max Abrahms, have offered a nuanced perspective, suggesting that the Irgun often went to considerable lengths to minimize civilian casualties, for instance, by issuing pre-attack warnings. Hoffman specifically stated that Irgun leadership aimed at "targeting the physical manifestations of British rule while avoiding the deliberate infliction of bloodshed." Despite these claims, the organization faced strong condemnation from figures like Albert Einstein, who, in a 1948 letter to The New York Times, compared the Irgun and its successor party, Herut, to "Nazi and Fascist parties" and described it as a "terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization." Nevertheless, the Irgun's assertive tactics resonated with many Jews who believed that any action, including those labelled as terrorism, was justified in the pursuit of establishing a Jewish state. Politically, the Irgun served as a predecessor to Israel's right-wing Herut (or "Freedom") party, which eventually merged to form the Likud party, a dominant force in Israeli politics that has led or been part of most Israeli governments since 1977.

The Deir Yassin Massacre: A Detailed Account

The Deir Yassin massacre, a tragic and pivotal event, unfolded on April 9, 1948. On this day, approximately 130 fighters from the Zionist paramilitary groups Irgun and Lehi attacked Deir Yassin, a Palestinian Arab village of about 600 inhabitants situated near Jerusalem. The assault resulted in the deaths of at least 107 Palestinian Arabs, a toll that included women and children. This operation was undertaken as Jewish militias sought to relieve the blockade of Jerusalem during the civil war, a conflict that escalated in the period immediately preceding the end of British rule in Palestine.

The villagers of Deir Yassin mounted a more robust resistance than the Jewish militias had anticipated, leading to casualties on both sides during the initial confrontation. The village ultimately fell after intense house-to-house fighting. While some Palestinian Arabs were killed in the heat of battle, others met their end while attempting to flee or surrender. Disturbingly, a number of prisoners were executed, with some reportedly paraded through West Jerusalem before their deaths. Beyond the killings, there was widespread looting, and accounts suggest the possibility of mutilation and rape, though the full extent of these atrocities remains contested. Initially, the victorious forces boasted of killing 254 people, but modern scholarship has significantly revised this figure downward. Palestinian historian Aref al-Aref, for example, documented 117 victims, with only seven killed in combat and the remainder in their homes. Estimates for the wounded range between 12 and 50. The attacking forces also sustained losses, with five fighters killed and a dozen wounded.

The massacre drew immediate and widespread condemnation from various quarters. The leadership of the Haganah, the principal Jewish community paramilitary force, denounced the act, as did the area's two chief rabbis and numerous prominent Jews abroad, including Albert Einstein, Jessurun Cardozo, Hannah Arendt, and Sidney Hook. The Jewish Agency for Israel even dispatched a letter of apology to Jordan's King Abdullah, which he forcefully rejected, holding them responsible for the massacre and issuing a stern warning of "terrible consequences" if similar incidents were to occur elsewhere.

The Deir Yassin massacre became a truly pivotal event in the Arab–Israeli conflict, profoundly impacting both demographic patterns and military strategies. The narrative surrounding the events was frequently embellished and exploited by various parties to serve their own agendas: Palestinians used it to galvanize opposition against Israel; the Haganah sought to downplay its own involvement; and the Israeli left condemned the Irgun and Lehi for "blackening Israel's name" by violating the deeply held Jewish ethical principle of "purity of arms." News of the killings instilled widespread terror among Palestinians, prompting many to flee their homes in the face of advancing Jewish troops. Conversely, it hardened the resolve of Arab governments to intervene militarily, which they did just five weeks later. Tragically, a revenge attack four days after Deir Yassin, on April 13, resulted in the massacre of 78 Jews, mostly medical staff, during an ambush on a Hadassah medical convoy in Jerusalem. To this day, archival materials held in Israeli military deposits documenting the massacre at Deir Yassin remain classified.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the Irgun?
The Irgun, officially "The National Military Organization in the Land of Israel," was a Zionist paramilitary organization that operated in Mandate Palestine between 1931 and 1948, known for its assertive and often controversial actions.
What was the Irgun's primary goal?
Its primary goal, rooted in Revisionist Zionism, was the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, believing this could only be achieved through active retaliation, strong Jewish armed force, and ensuring the right of every Jew to enter Palestine.
How did the Irgun differ from the Haganah?
The Irgun was an offshoot of the older, larger Haganah. It diverged primarily in its more aggressive tactics and its rejection of the Haganah's policy of havlagah (self-restraint) against Arab attacks and British policies, favoring instead a policy of active retaliation.
Why is the Irgun considered controversial?
The Irgun is considered controversial due to its use of violence against British authorities and Arabs, which led to its designation as a terrorist organization by several governments and international bodies, as well as strong condemnation from prominent figures like Albert Einstein.
What was the significance of the King David Hotel bombing?
The bombing of the King David Hotel in 1946 targeted the British administrative and military headquarters in Jerusalem, serving as a major act of defiance against British rule and garnering international attention for the Irgun's struggle.
What happened at Deir Yassin?
On April 9, 1948, Irgun and Lehi fighters attacked the Palestinian Arab village of Deir Yassin, killing at least 107 villagers, including women and children, during intense house-to-house fighting. The event sparked widespread condemnation and had profound consequences for the Arab–Israeli conflict.
What was the impact of the Deir Yassin massacre?
The massacre became a pivotal event, contributing to Palestinian flight, strengthening Arab resolve to intervene in the conflict, and leading to internal Jewish debates about the "purity of arms." It also led to a revenge attack on a Hadassah medical convoy.
What is the Irgun's political legacy?
The Irgun served as a political predecessor to Israel's right-wing Herut party, which later merged to form the Likud party. Likud has since become a dominant force in Israeli politics, leading or participating in most Israeli governments since 1977.