British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 601

CHAPTER XV.

Israel). This station first started broadcasting in March, 1940, continued for four months and was then inoperative until the 9th October, 1945. Since that date transmissions in English, Arabic or Hebrew have been given almost daily for periods of ten to fifteen minutes.

40. On the whole the Hagana has maintained the policy of havlaga (self-restraint) and during the period 1936-39 was mainly free from the imputation of acts of retaliation against the Arabs. Equally, until recently, it did not engage in terrorism or activities directed against the Government, although it was involved in the arms traffic. It seems clear, however, that the Hagana took part in a series of outrages towards the end of 1945 : an attack on the Athlit clearance camp and the subsequent ambushing of a police party; widespread sabotage on the railway system; and heavy attacks on two coastguard stations. The Hagana has also assisted in the smuggling of illegal immigrants into Palestine.

(ii) IBGUN ZVAI Leumi BE Eretz Israel’) (National Military Organization in Palestine).

41. This association was formed in 1935 by dissident members of the Hagana.. Its "Commander in Chief" was the late Vladimir Jabotinsky who directed its activities from abroad. Although be was also president of the Revisionist party and although the Irgun (as the association is usually called) was mainly recruited from bodies associated with that party, notably the Betar youth movement, the organization is independent of the party. Its insignia consists of an outline of Palestine and Trans-Jordan, superimposed by a rifle grasped by a forearm and surmounted by the Hebrew words Rak Kach (Only Thus!).

42. During the rebellion of 1936-39 it indulged in acts of retaliation against Arabs, perpetrating with explosives some of the worst outrages of that period, including the planting of land mines in Arab market places and cinemas. By means of its secret radio transmitter and clandestine press the Irgun kept the Jewish public informed of its activity and responsibility for the numerous acts of retaliation and murder of Jewish 'traitors'. Its successes, coupled with a gradual deterioration of the situation. drew many sympathisers into its ranks and attracted a steady flow of young recruits from the Be tar.

43. The declared aims of the National Military Organization at that time were the liberation of Palestine and Trans-Jordan by armed struggle and the fight for a Jewish State regardless of Mandates and declarations. In August, 1939, the following "communiqué" was published by the Irqun. for issue to the European Press:-

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