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In the 1930s and 1940s, the Zionist underground committed multiple acts of political violence, during their campaign for a Jewish National Homeland in the British Mandate of Palestine. These include actions by the Haganah, Irgun, and Lehi, also known as the Stern Gang, against the British, UN personnel, Arabs, and suspected Jewish collaborators. At the time, the British described such political violence as Jewish or Zionist terrorism. In reference to present day events outside that historical context, however, this term is used as a political epithet to deprecate Israel or Jews.

The Haganah and Irgun suspended their activity against the British after the beginning of World War II so as not to distract the British from the fight against Nazi Germany. Many members of the underground volunteered for the Jewish Brigade to fight the Nazis. The Irgun resumed attacks in 1944, after the defeat of the Nazis was assured. The smaller Lehi continued anti-British attacks and direct action throughout the war.

Irgun and Lehi attacks

• During the period 1937-1939, the Irgun conducted a campaign of bombings and other acts of violence against Arab civilians.
• Lehi assassinated British minister Lord Moyne in Cairo in 1944.
• The killings of several suspected collaborators with the Haganah and the British mandate government during The Hunting Season (1944-1945).
• The King David Hotel bombing on July 26, 1946, killing 91 people. The Irgun delivered a warning to the hotel switchboard but there is disagreement over whether it was sufficiently in advance of the explosion or whether the hotel management responded effectively.
• Attacked British military airfields and railways several times in 1946.
• The bombing by the Irgun of the British Embassy in Rome in 1946.
• The 1947 reprisal killing of two British sergeants who had been taken prisoner in response to British execution of two Irgun members in Akko prison.
• Lehi assassinated the UN mediator Count Bernadotte in September 1948 for his allegedly pro-Arab conduct during the cease-fire negotiations.

During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War

• Deir Yassin massacre, in April 1948, by Irgun and Lehi forces

See also

• Violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Palestinian political violence
• Political terrorism
• Religious terrorism

References

• J. Bowyer Bell (1977). Terror out of Zion: Irgun Zvai Leumi, LEHI, and the Palestine underground, 1929-1949. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 0312792050.

• Arab-Israeli conflict
• Israel and Zionism
• Terrorism