388:"... you, whose wasted pride removes you from your thought, what for you and for the free soul which is ready to endanger its life and even to sacrifice its life for the sake of freedom?... You are amazed: how it occurred that these Jews of whom we thought to be cowards, who were close to slaughter for generations, rose against our reign, fight against our armies and even nullify our orders, scorn death?... And certainly the matter is simpler than it seems to you. With two things the essential character of our generation was stabilized: the land of our birth and the disaster in exile. The land of our birth is what unified us and gave strength to our remnant, bravery to our hearts and hope for our future... It is what held for us the powerful tradition of the Maccabees and Bar Kochba, and on the other side a disaster without example in the exile. It is what taught us, that we stand in a system not just on our freedom, but rather the fact of our existence... It is what taught us that if we don't fight—we will be destroyed, and it is what held fear for each and every one of us. In every land people stand before you who are no longer afraid. For what shall they be afraid of? Is it death that will be feared by the members of a people from whom millions died in one horror, without reason and without end; in our remembrance of our destroyed friends—our hearts abound with joy that we were not crushed like them, because in our lot fell the holy prerogative to fight for our land, to be on the land of our birth, to write a chapter of courage and to leave a testament, not of cowardice and slaughter, but rather of strength and a battle for freedom, for the coming generations... And even this you will certainly not understand, when I, a young Hebrew man, who stands before a five-fold threat of murder, raise up my heart and my God in heaven, and give praise and thanks on the right that let me suffer for my land and my people, and say will all my existence: Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season! "
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declarations. When Haviv insisted, two policemen were ordered to bring him forward by force. Meanwhile, the accused disrupted the trial by not answering the judge's questions, asking their friends to answer for them, or alternatively got up from their places or pretended to doze off. When witnesses were called to testify, the defendants chatted among themselves and exchanged jokes. In isolated incidents the defendants referred to the events preceding their trial. Avshalom got up and asked one of the witnesses, a
British soldier who was present during his detention: "Can you explain to me precisely what you meant when you said to me 'gas chambers are a game compared to what is expected for you in Israel'?" When they weren't answering questions, the defendants continued to talk amongst themselves and to draw caricatures of members of the court.
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answered the
British jailer "If the British mandate wants to put handcuffs on me, may it submit!" The shackles were only removed shortly before the assembly of the panel of the court. The accused reassured their families "We will yet laugh at them, and if not us, others will laugh." The presiding judge declared that all accused had been found guilty of discharging a firearm and illegally possessing explosives. At the request of the judges, lawyers brought forward documents concerning the ages of Michaelov and Nachman Zitterbaum.
532:. All Jewish prisoners then joined in the singing, which rang throughout the building. After twenty minutes, at 04:00 on Tuesday, the prisoners heard Haviv singing Hatikvah as he was led to the gallows. His voice then stopped when he was hanged at 4:03. Haviv died on July 29 at the age of 21. Meir followed and like Haviv, sang until his last moments. Twenty minutes later his body was brought out, and at 04:25 Yaakov Weiss ascended the gallows, where he too sang the "Hatikvah" with other prisoners joining in.
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calling away the blocking squads, forgot to tell Haviv that the operation was over. As a result, his squad was left behind during the withdrawal. During the retreat from Acre Prison, other Irgun members shouted at him that the operation was over, but Haviv felt he had to wait for a formal order from
Salomon before withdrawing. Thus, his team did not withdraw from their post. Haviv and four other men;
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red hat, a sign that the verdict was death. He informed the condemned that they were sentenced to "hanging until their spirit departs". Amnon
Michaelov and Nachman Zitterbaum were sentenced to imprisonment "until the commissioner chooses to free them" due to their youth. When they heard the verdict, the accused started singing, with the crowd in the hall joining them in a rendition of "
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350:, Amnon Michaelov, and Nahman Zitterbaum, were left behind. Haviv and his men were still at their post when the British arrived. Accounts as to what happened next vary. According to some sources, they managed to hold the British at bay until their ammunition ran out, while the prosecutor allegedly stated that Haviv claimed to be a Haganah observer when he was arrested.
380:"... if you were wise, British tyrants, and would learn from history, the example of Ireland and America would be enough to convince you that you ought to hurry out of our country which is enveloped in the flames of holy revolt, flames which are not extinguished but only flare up the more with every drop of blood shed by you or in the fight against you."
517:"They called to us: 'Don't worry. Don't be ashamed. Be encouraged and strong. We are not afraid in the face of death.' Their last call was: 'Avenge our blood!' Don't worry for us. Thank you for what you said to us and for the warm well-wishes.' They are certainly strong. Strong like none who have been found in the Jewish people for two thousand years."
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council and after stormy deliberations behind closed doors, it was decided on June 23 not to adopt a position contrary to the decision of the
British mandate. A hostile government request for a conference concerning the three convicts worsened relations between the parties, and shortened the duration of the UN Council's stay.
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409:". Immediately afterwards, the entire crowd was put onto the barred porch for three quarters of an hour until the jury left. It was reported that the crowd were told anyone trying to leave would "be shot where they stood". The condemned parties were loaded into an armored vehicle that then made its way to the
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in a failed attempt to free Jewish underground prisoners, in which one of the raiders and a
British soldier and policeman were killed. On March 1, 1947, Haviv took part in an Irgun attack on a British officer's club in Goldschmidt House, which was in Jerusalem's Russian Compound. The attack took
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On the night of Monday, July 28, the prisoners heard the sound of the
Hatikvah coming from the condemned men's cells. Suddenly the rumor spread that they would be hanged that night. Throughout the whole night the three condemned men sang songs of the underground and the rebellion. At 02:00, the
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along with the fact that no one from the security forces lost their life in the attack on the Acre Prison – the only victims were underground fighters. During the UN council investigation, support developed for intervention in the affair, but after the matter was brought to the chairman of the
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Consultation over the verdict lasted for nearly two hours during which time observers and journalists were transferred by the police to a grated porch under the sun. The resentment of the journalists over this "confinement" didn't help. After two hours, the presiding judge entered the hall wearing a
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On June 16 the court convened at 11:10. Lieutenant
Colonel Norman, vice commander of the British forces in Palestine also attended the proceedings. The lawyers entered 15 minutes late and complained to the presiding judge about being subjected to a security check. This was part of the enormous
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to free Jewish underground prisoners. Haviv was the leader of a blocking squad that laid mines to delay
British pursuers, allowing the getaway trucks carrying escaped prisoners and retreating raiders to escape. Dov Salomon, a senior commander participating in the operation who was responsible for
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The trial lasted 14 days and 35 witnesses were called before the time came for the defense to present its case. The defendants, who originally opposed the authority of the court to judge them, also opposed defense proceedings. Despite this each defendant prepared a long affidavit with statements
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Revisionist
Zionist youth movement, which were translated for the many foreign journalists in attendance. The defendants entered the hall under heavy guard with chains on their hands and legs. It was reported that Haviv refused to raise his legs for the manacles to be put on and in a loud voice
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to the members of the court, whereupon the judges stood up to be later rebuked by the presiding judge for shaming the court. Haviv asked to read a declaration in response to the judge's question, but was told by the President of the Court that he was there to answer questions, not to recite
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Today, Haviv, along with the other Olei Hagardom, is revered as a national hero in Israel. Streets have been named for him, and postage stamps bearing his image have been issued. The letters he wrote to his family and girlfriend Gila have since been compiled into a book titled
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of all of the nation of Israel into the land of Israel and those that will dwell here on the two sides of the Jordan river, and the land that was promised to us by the English will be only ours. In this hoped-for time there will be here a Hebrew state like all states.
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The trial began on Wednesday, May 28, 1947, after a delay of two days due to Yaakov Weiss' illness. The judges were Colonel M.E. Fell (the President of the Court), Major D. Lee Hunter, and Captain I. Stewart. The accused sang the Zionist anthem
577:. This operation shocked Britain, despite the explicit threat beforehand, and brought to an end hanging of Jews in the British Mandate of Palestine. Meir Nakar, Yaakov Weiss and Avshalom Haviv were the last to ascend the British gallows.
442:). The Irgun approached the UN council and asked them to annul the death sentence. This was in light of the UN calling on all sides to refrain from violence during the investigation, and also based on a similar event that had occurred in
513:, Nissim Ohana, came to see them. He spent fifteen minutes encouraging them, although the Rabbi ended up being heartened by the prisoners. Amnon Michaelov, who was judged with them and was in Acre Prison at the same time testified:
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for an Irgun sapper team which tossed explosive charges into the Goldschmidt House, leveling the building. During the operation, Haviv burned his hand on the gun barrel, but stayed at his post until the end of the mission.
308:(CID) in Jerusalem and on the government income tax offices, as well as in mining operations in the Jerusalem-Bethlehem area against British security traffic. On January 19, 1946, Haviv participated in a joint Irgun-
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My aspiration is: one language will take hold in the land, not German, not Yiddish will be spoken in the land of Israel, but rather the language of the Tanakh, the ancient language of Hebrew. My ambition is the
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Michaelov says that later that night the doors of the corridor opened and the hangman approached the convicts' cell together with some policemen, a military doctor and the manager of the prison in
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visited them they received him happily and asked him to report that they were in strong condition. On July 8 at 01:00 the army commander confirmed the verdicts. In due course the Irgun would
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On July 30, the Irgun carried out its threat to kill the two British sergeants it had kidnapped earlier. The soldiers were hanged and their bodies booby-trapped and left in a grove near
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304:), and as a result ended his university studies. In many operations, Haviv took on the job of machine gunner, mainly participating in attacks on the British police's
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Charlton resigned as manager of the Acre Prison on the same day. It is known that he refused to execute the men personally and a replacement had to be brought in.
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About a month after his release from the Palmach, he returned to Jerusalem and began to study Hebrew literature, philosophy, and economics at the
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obliged all Jewish high school graduates to spend a year either working on a kibbutz or serving in the Palmach. He underwent military training at
300:, and at the same time returned to the Irgun. Gradually, he spent more and more time on operations with the Combat Corps of the Irgun (the HaK,
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422:, which carried out investigations in Haviv's household, his family had held on to the hope that he would be saved through a visit by the
209:. His father, Eliezer Haviv, was a well-known leather merchant. His mother was Rivkah Haviv. Haviv grew up and received his education in
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563:". Nakar was first to be buried followed by Weiss and Haviv. The shock in Israel was deep at the time, coming as it did on top of the
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to free Holocaust survivors being held by the British authorities as illegal immigrants. The raid freed 208 inmates, among them
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Zionist underground movement and received the nickname "Efraim." He was initially part of Hatam - the Irgun's propaganda unit.
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On the following day, July 30, at 10:00, the funeral cortege of the three fighters proceeded towards the graveyard in
426:. Haviv sent a message to his family: "We are ready to sabotage, the question is how ready are you for it?" On the 29th of
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240:, which then ruled Palestine. In an essay entitled "The Aspirations of an Enslaved Youth" he included the passage:
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ring of protection surrounding the court. The check even extended to cigarette cases, matches, and fountain pens.
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opposing tyrannical British rule, which were delivered on June 10, 1947. In his affidavit, Haviv equated the
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ideas. His school essays expressed opinions on the achievements of the Zionist party and the policy of the
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Arba'ah Tze'adim Lamavet (Four Steps to Death), Avshalom Haviv and his letters from the Gardom
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Some time afterwards, prisoners once more heard the "Hatikvah" breaking from the area of the
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and guarantee that if the death sentence went ahead, they would hang the sergeants as "
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662:"Jews Charged with Acre Prison Break Face Death Penalty; Topee Refuse to Plead"
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The convicted men passed their time in the chamber studying and reciting
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In unison, the indicted parties sat bound and sang songs from the
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285:. On October 10, 1945, he participated in a Palmach raid on the
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as a condition for being allowed to study at university, as the
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The Land Beyond Promise: Israel, Likud and the Zionist Dream
169:; June 18, 1926 – July 29, 1947) was a member of the
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on May 4, 1947, in which Irgun fighters raided
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946:People convicted of illegal possession of weapons
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181:executed by the British authorities during the
781:Hacherev Vehaperach (The Sword and the Flower)
763:(in Hebrew). הוצאת המדרשה הלאומית ע"ש רנה מור.
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430:, anniversary of the release of Irgun leader
187:retaliatory hangings of two British sergeants
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714:"Avshalom Haviv / Meir Nakar / Yaacov Weiss"
312:attack on the Central Prison in Jerusalem's
269:On finishing high school, Haviv joined the
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775:(in Hebrew). הוצאת ספרית מעריב, ת"א תשל"ט.
197:Avshalom Haviv was born on June 18, 1926 (
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956:Burials at the Old Jewish Cemetery, Safed
384:He finished his speech with these words:
138:Jewish insurgency in Mandatory Palestine
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504:Monument on the grave of Avshalom Haviv
634:Cornfield, Giveon and Seligman, Max:
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16:Irgun underground member (1926–1947)
544:Two British soldiers hanged by the
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463:, American students, and even the
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306:Criminal Investigation Department
217:. In his youth he studied at the
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298:Hebrew University of Jerusalem
213:, residing with his family on
183:Jewish insurgency in Palestine
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735:"Avshalom Haviv on etzel.org"
486:capture two British sergeants
689:"3 Jewish Terrorists To Die"
480:. When the prisoners' rabbi
262:At age 15, Haviv joined the
173:underground organization in
921:Executed Palestinian people
416:According to the newspaper
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201:6, 5686, according to the
941:Olei Hagardom (Palestine)
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583:Four Steps to the Gallows
557:Safed Old Jewish Cemetery
509:chief Sephardic Rabbi of
370:Irish War of Independence
193:Childhood and adolescence
99:Safed Old Jewish Cemetery
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716:. Eretzisraelforever.net
252:Amen, ken yihyeh ratson!
333:Haviv took part in the
67:July 29, 1947 (aged 21)
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496:Ascending the gallows
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232:he was drawn towards
768:אשל, אריה (lawyer).
759:ברנס, חיה (lawyer).
88:Execution by hanging
374:American Revolution
287:Atlit detainee camp
175:Mandatory Palestine
84:Cause of death
78:Mandatory Palestine
58:Mandatory Palestine
674:Schindler, Colin:
649:Terror out of Zion
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238:British government
936:People from Haifa
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647:Bell, Bowyer J.:
490:an eye for an eye
459:, the council of
354:Trial and verdict
335:Acre Prison break
219:Tachkemoni School
177:, and one of the
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143:Acre Prison break
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436:rosh kvutza
411:Acre Prison
339:Acre Prison
302:hayil kravi
222: [
167:אבשלום חביב
70:Acre Prison
42:אבשלום חביב
38:Native name
905:Categories
885:Meir Nakar
850:Dov Gruner
741:2013-06-19
720:2013-06-19
699:2023-08-06
693:Advertiser
601:References
567:incident.
424:UN council
344:Meir Nakar
110:Allegiance
772:oubliette
565:SS Exodus
536:Aftermath
530:oubliette
461:Ramat Gan
323:synagogue
317:place on
283:Ein Harod
211:Jerusalem
638:, p. 193
589:See also
407:Hatikvah
361:Hatikvah
327:Bren gun
678:, p. 31
575:Netanya
319:Shabbat
275:Haganah
271:Palmach
234:Zionist
126:Palmach
651:(1976)
523:Nablus
478:Psalms
444:Greece
428:Tammuz
247:aliyah
205:), in
199:Tammuz
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