VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

British Mandate Currency

British Mandate of Palestine

Palestine Mandate Banknote

Banknotes were issued by the British Mandatory government. Denominations were 500 mils (half a pound), 1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 pounds. The highest denominations represented several years' salary to the average worker. Tomb of Rachel appears on the 1/2 pound and Dome of the Rock on the pound note. The essential words are in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.

Mandate coins

Coins were also issued with Hebrew Arabic and English inscriptions. Denominations were 5,10,20,50, and 100 mils. A thousand mills equaled one Palestine Pound, which was on a par with the British pound sterling. Some denominations were holed, like coins the British were producing for their African colonies. In wartime, copper was substituted for nickel, which was needed for arms production.

EEF postage stamps overprinted

The EEF stamps printed for the Army in 1917 continued in use. They were overprinted 'Palestine' in 3 languages, trying to mask their military nature.

EEF Stamp in the Mail

This envelope was mailed at Haifa on 8 December 1922, using an EEF stamp which has been overprinted ‘Palestine’ in Arabic, English, and Hebrew. The destination is the town of Freudenstadt in the district of Wurttenberg in Germany.

Pictorial postage stamps

In 1927, when the banknotes and coins were issued, proper stamps were also supplied. These read Palestine and also א"י which stands for Land of Israel. They too pictured the Tomb of Rachel and the Dome of the Rock and added the Tower of David and the Sea of Galilee at Tiberias.

Mandate Passport

The full features of government also included a Palestine Passport. It is stamped British Passport and Palestine on the cover, under the British Coat of Arms. This one was issued in 1945 to Mr. Aharon Cohen, a Palestine citizen, born in Pinsk.

Passport Photo

He is a dental practitioner. Mr. Cohen used it to travel to Cyprus, perhaps to help Jews there. He later traveled to the USA.

High Commissioner Herbert Samuel

The top British governmental authority in Palestine was the High Commissioner. The first to occupy that position was Herbert Samuel. He was raised in a traditional home and his ideas helped influence the Balfour declaration. He served from 1920 to 1925 - 'the first Jew to govern the land of Israel in 2000 years'. His efforts to appease the Arab population and appear impartial were not well received in the end.

High Commissioner in Shul

Before leaving his post, Samuel visited the Hurva synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem, and was called to the Torah. Yehudah Gutman was lucky to score this ticket, which was needed for entrance. No children were allowed. The ticket is stamped on the back with its official name Beit Yaakov, named in honor of James Rothschild.

Prayer for Herbert Samuel

This is a version of the traditional Prayer for the Welfare of Government specifically composed for Sir Herbert Samuel when he arrived in Palestine in 1920. Said in synagogue in conjunction with the Sabbath Torah reading. “May He Who blessed our forefathers ...bless his highness our brother minister Eliezer ben Menachem, Sir Herbert Samuel; May G-d preserve him ... be with him to nurture the Jewish people ...to rebuild the ruins of our land ...succeed in his endeavors...Amen."

Application for Immigration

In the aftermath of WWI, Jews, whether Zionist or refugees, were eager to come to Palestine. In order to control the process, Britain issued certificates of immigration. This is an application for one. In addition to personal information one had to list dependents.

Immigration application page 2

Page two asked what 'means' (money) the candidate had and who his prospective employer would be. And he needed to list who would guarantee his support if necessary. The applicant's signature included a commitment to pay a 100 pound (!!!) fine or go to prison if any information was false.

Immigration application Notice

Tucked in to the application is a reminder in 4 languages that this form, and the certificate, must be preserved and surrendered upon arrival. Otherwise the applicant will be denied admission.

Immigration certificate cover

This is an actual certificate. It reads in Hebrew 'Certificate of Immigration' inside a Magen David. Distribution was handled by the Jewish Agency, which was run by the Zionist leadership.

Immigration Certificate

Chaim Yitzchak Tzoizmer obtained it and his photo appears on the first page. He is from Kovno (Lithuania), was born in 1903, is single, and speaks Hebrew. The certificate was issued in 1924, one of the early ones.

Certificate request.Moscow

Requests poured in from all over. This one, from Chabad Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Havlin, is addressed to the Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem. It asks for a certificate for R' Moshe Dov Ganzburg of Moscow. He serves as rabbi and therefore has suffered terribly under the Bolsheviks. Dated 2 Kislev 5634 (=1934).

Immigrant guarantee.100 pounds

Here R' Havlin of Chabad in Jerusalem declares that He will be a guarantor for R' Aharon Eliezer Zeitlin and his family, when they arrive in Palestine. Should they become a burden on the community, he will pay the 100 pound government fine promptly.

Certificate request.Poland

R' Yehoshua Shpetman from Lublin has worked for Keren Hayesod and JNF for years. He feels entitled to a certificate for himself and family. He intends to work as a rabbi and be dependent on no one. He has already written to Chief Rabbi Avraham Kook who knows him. Dated 16 September 1929.

Rav Kook request

Rav Kook, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi of Palestine must have received numerous requests. Here on his letterhead he writes Heshel Farbstein, a longtime religious Zionist in Europe who now headed the Jewish Agency's immigration. "I respectfully request that you include on your list for certificates Mr. Meir Berman from Vilna with his wife and son." Dated 13 Kislev 5693 (=1933).

Rav Avraham Kook

Avraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935) was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine, founder of Yeshiva Mercaz Harav, and a renowned Torah scholar. In 1913 he led a delegation of rabbis to many newly established secular Moshavot to strengthen observance of Shabbat and Trumot Uma'asrot, as these were farm settlements. He believed that ANY Jew who worked to build up the Jewish community of E.Y. was contributing to the spiritual redemption of world Jewry as part of a heavenly plan.

Visa from Warsaw

This letter confirms that a precious visa for Palestine will be granted to mother and daughter Elbinger. It is dated 21 May 1939 and is good until 30 November. We can only hope they made use of it before the Nazi invasion on September 1.

Gordonia Youth

A Zionist youth movement, Gordonia was established in 1923 in Galicia. It was named for Aaron David Gordon, a Zionist who believed in individual self-realization and national survival. They aspired to a reborn Jewish people who would live on and work the Land of Israel. They were anti-Marxist and appealed to lower-class working youth. The movement spread from Galicia and numbered as many as 40,000 members.This original photo of a member group from Tarnopol poses with a photo of Gordon. Habonim

Hachshara Germany

The spirit of Zionism gripped much of European youth after the Balfour Declaration. However starting 1922, Britain required immigrants to either have 1000 pounds in cash, or marketable skills, including agricultural experience. Youth groups created programs called 'Hachshara' - training - to teach farming, etc. The first was in Markhof, Germany in 1922 to which this envelope was sent. It was sponsored by Mizrachi and provided religious support for its trainees.

Hachshara Brenner 1934

Many such Hachshara training programs were set up all over Europe. This photo dated 7 December 1934 shows a group of youth who are members of 'Chug Brenner'. This was a Hachshara group who took this photo on the eve of departing for the Holy Land. Most of the 15 members signed their name on the back in Hebrew.

Hachshara Radzimin.1935

This photo shows 11 members of the Kibbutz Hachshara 'Achva' in the Polish city of Radzimin, along with their leaders. It is dated 1935. Due to the varied businesses and factories in the city, this program provided training in farm management and industry, quarrying, millwork, tanning, even brick-making.

Hebron Jewish Community

Jews have lived in Hevron since antiquity, only absent when forced to leave by the Crusaders and in modern times by the British. This letter was sent to the well-known Slonim family in Hevron. They were among the victims of a fierce uprising and massacre in 1929. 67 Jews were hacked to death with many more wounded and disfigured.

Hebron Jewish Community

The letter was sent from Russia and delivered through the Russian postal service in Palestine. From the Hebrew inscription on the back of the envelope, we learn that this letter was intended for the Kollel - the institution of mature yeshiva students in the town.

Slonim family

This photo shows us the Slonim family in Hevron, all murdered in1929. Eliezer Dan and wife Hannah are standing. Her parents, R' Avraham Orlanski and Yenta are sitting. Their young son Aharon is in front.

Eliezer Dan Slonim

Eliezer Slonim was a bank manager. He had good relations with his Arab clients and neighbors. Because of this, Jews ran to his house when the attack began, assuming they would be safe. 23 were slaughtered right in his home. He sent this envelope, on bank business.

Slonim home after pogrom

The Arabs had been incited by the Mufti of Jerusalem with false reports about the Al-Aqsa mosque being desecrated. They went on a wild & bloodthirsty rampage, killing 67 Jews and maiming others. British police did not intervene until the end. They then evacuated the Jewish community and the Yeshiva to Jerusalem.

Tarpat funerals

The massacre is known by its Hebrew date 'Tarpat' (5689=1929). This photo shows the large funeral that was held in the wake of the pogroms that summer, in Tel Aviv. It is dated 26 August/20 Av, 1929.

Hebron.1935.Return

In 1931, 31 Jewish families returned to Hebron and re-established the community. This effort was short-lived, and in April 1936, fearing another massacre, the British authorities evacuated the community. This contract documents purchase of land in a south Hevron community called Eshel Avraham, named for the famous ancient tree there.

Hebron.1935.Land purchase

Signed in Jerusalem on 10 February 1935, Saadia Gimini from Rishon LeZion bought a plot from M. Kamelhar for 6 Palestine pounds. He paid 2 pounds down and committed to 8 payments, through the bank.

Hebron.1935.Bank authorization

Here the buyer & seller sign the agreement, and the buyer pays the 2 pound document fee. Bank Ge'ulah uBinyan conducted this transaction. However, the bank closed in 1937, along with a dozen other underfunded banks.

Tzefat Land Purchase

This document records the satisfying of a mortgage for land in Tzefat. The seller is Haled Ibn AlHaj Musa and the buyer is Yehudah ben Todros Kikrini. Dated 22 Nisan 1926. Witnesses included Ze'ev Park and Yisrael Hertz.

Tzefat land purchase.back.seal

The document is validated on the back and sealed. The seal reads "Land Registry of Safed", and the same in Hebrew and Arabic. In the White Paper of 1939, the British Mandate government restricted the purchase of land by Jews, in an attempt to appease Arab agitation.

1936 uprising victims

Arab riots had started before 1929 and in a sense have never stopped. A serious and widespread Revolt against British rule and Jewish immigration broke out in 1936. It led to several thousand Arab deaths due to brutal military suppression. Hundreds of Jews died in the attacks. This pamphlet entitled "the Voice of Blood" alludes to the murder of Abel in the Bible. It memorializes victims of the Arabs in Jerusalem, Haifa, and Yaffo. 1936.

1936 uprising.victim woman

Julia Koller made Aliyah in 1935 from Berlin. On a spring day she went for a walk with her 13 year old son. Arabs holding sticks followed her and attacked, beating her bloody. She managed to make it to the police but in the hospital died on the operating table. Her son eventually recovered. She left behind her husband and two sons.

Uprising victims

These men were attacked in Yaffo. Fortunately , they eventually recovered.

Uprising.British forces

The 'uprising' or 'Revolt' or 'Disturbances' caused chaos in the country. As many as 50,000 troops were brought in from England and elsewhere to help maintain control. This envelope was mailed in Palestine by a soldier, from one battalion to another. It uses a British stamp (!) not a Mandate stamp. The cancellation is from an army Field Post Office in Palestine.

British army service medal

The troops who served in Palestine, particularly during the Revolt of 1936 - 39, were awarded this medal when their service ended.

Curfew decree in Home 1938

The disturbances became so widespread that the British imposed a curfew. This notice, dated 19 October 1938, requires all residents to stay in their homes while security operations are carried out in the Old City.

Curfew pass

The disturbances became so widespread that the British imposed curfews on movement in and between cities. This pass, dated 8 August 1936, permitted one trip in Jerusalem for the few blocks between Rehavia and Ben Yehudah street,.

Travel pass between cities

This pass, dated 7 April 1939, permits travel between cities.

Travel pass.photo

Mordechai Rosengarten is permitted to travel the roads of Palestine. He may not enter Gaza or Ber Sheva.

Notrim

The Notrim were Jewish Police authorized and trained by the British to help defend and guard Jewish lives and property during the revolt years. Over 20,000 men participated in this effort. This postcard shows them posing with their uniform, hat and weapons. The Notrim were drawn from the Haganah and became the basis for the Israeli police in 1948. Notrim means 'Guards' in Hebrew. They were also called 'Ghaffirs' which means the same thing in Arabic.

Jewish Settlement Police

The Jewish Settlement Police was developed during the 1936-39 Arab uprising. This is Joseph Glushwitzky's I.D. as a member. The training they got was valuable when war broke out in 1948.

Notrim candidate recommendation

The head of the council at Kfar Nahalal wrote this recommendation for Shmuel Leshinsky, whom he has known for 9 years to be an upright and faithful individual, suitable for enlisting in the Notrim. Shmuel was born in Poland in 1912.

Kofer hayishuv.Ring and Pin.1

'Kofer Hayishev' - Redemption of the Community - was a fund begun in 1938 to increase security in the wake of the Arab revolt. It was funded by voluntary taxes on various goods. Donation of gold jewelry was also encouraged. Such donors received a brass ring which reads 'Kofer Hayishuv'. A pin reading 'Jewelry Donation 1938' was proudly worn.

Kofer Hayishuv.Ring Receipt

Ring donors received this receipt. It acknowledges donation of a gold wedding ring by Shimon Uziel of Tel Aviv on 22 Nov. 1938. Reverse rules include "The recipient will receive a metal ring ..." and "Before selling the ring the donor will have a week to redeem it ...".

JNF gift bond front

This 'Gift Bond' is really just a fancy receipt for a 10 dollar donation to the JNF in 1937. The funds will be used for the reclamation and development of the Huleh Zone and Upper Galilee, Northern Palestine for Jewish colonization" to make room for thousands of homesteads for pioneer and immigrant families". The Malaria-ridden swamp land was eventually drained in the 1950s.

JNF gift bond.back

A map on the back shows the areas of Jewish communities. An arrow points to the location of the Huleh lake and valley. The area became Israel's first nature preserve and is a focal point for millions of migrating birds each year.

Property Deeds in Jerusalem

Deeds to 2 adjacent properties near MeahShearim in Jerusalem, dated 17 June 1931. The British ‘Government of Palestine’ appears at the top. The properties are in the Shneller neighborhood, named for the orphanage compound up the street. The lots sold for 80 & 52 Palestine pounds. Interestingly, this document is filled out in Hebrew - they could have used the English version on the other side. Abd alTzemed Yitzchakuf is buying. It sounds Arabic although Yizchakov is a Jewish name.

Land Map in Jerusalem

This map shows the exact location of the two properties, which are adjacent. They are at the corner of Meah Shearim Street (this portion today called Malchei Yisrael Street) and Levush Mordechai Street. This is at the edge of the ‘Meah Sheorim’ neighborhood.

A.Arab Legion cover

Trsansjordanian Frontier Force

After WWI, the British formed a force to police Transjordan (Eastern Palestine), called the Arab Legion. From it was drawn a group making up the Frontier Force, responsible for borders. It was made up of local Arabs and a few Jews, mostly in administrative positions, but was staffed and led by British officers. They helped deal with the Arab Riots of the 1930s, and later with control of Jewish immigration.

Transjordanian Frontier Force

This envelope was mailed from the Frontier Force headquarters in Zarqa, Transjordan. Addressed to London, it is certainly from a British officer. The logo of the Frontier Force is embossed on the back.

Free French

When the French signed a pact with the Germans, Charles DeGaul fled to England and established a government in exile. Frenchmen loyal to him fought along with the British, and are called the 'Free French'. They were active everywhere, including the Syria-Lebanon Campaign in 1941. This envelope was mailed from there to Tel Aviv. This is the conflict in which Moshe Dayan, active with the British, lost his eye. Their symbol was the double 'Cross of Lorraine'.

Volunteer soldier lights menorah

As soon as WWII broke out, thousands of Palestinian Jews, and some Arabs, volunteered to join the British army. They wore regular uniforms and were not distinguishable from fellow soldiers. This soldier in uniform lights the Hanukkah menorah with his daughter.

Defense medal awarded

H. Schoenfeld was one of the 30,000 Jewish Palestinians who volunteered with the British Army, serving with the Royal Engineers. As a sapper, he was active in mines and demolition. After the war he was awarded the 'Defense Medal' for his service.

Soldiers in Lybia

Much of the work was guard duty and transport. Jews in Libya had been under threat of German/Italian mistreatment. When British forces overtook the country, Palestinian troops helped the Libyan Jews with basic necessities, and even taught their children Hebrew. They proudly painted Jewish stars on their trucks, as seen posing in this picture.

From Libya."Enlist"

This envelope was sent from a Palestinian soldier stationed in Libya. He used a patriotic envelope. He also added a sticker that reads in Hebrew: You love them? Then fight for them. Enlist ! Pictured are a wife and daughter.

The Palestine Buffs

In 1940, they were allowed to form separate companies, known as Palestine Infantry Companies, and join the Royal East Kent Regiment, known as the "Buffs". Here is their uniform pin and a Siddur provided by the British Army, inscribed by a Jew in the 'Buffs'. They made up 15 companies totaling 5,300 men.

Army siddur.contents

This was a special edition for Jewish serving men in Middle East forces. Notice the prayer for active service, overseas service, and before going to battle.

Palestine insignia and dog tag

There were no Jewish markings on the uniform, but various pins and patches reading 'Palestine'. The soldier I.D. 'dog tags' also read 'Pal' and did identify the soldier as 'JEW(ish)'. The religion was mentioned in case of the need for burial.

Palestine Regiment

In 1942, the Jewish companies were formed into 3 battalions of the 'The Palestine Regiment' . Arabs had a separate battalion. This envelope was sent from a soldier in 'B company, 2nd battalion, Palestine Regiment, Middle East Forces'.

Palestine Regiment. Field P.O. 148

This envelope was mailed to a soldier in the 2nd Jewish Battalion, Palestine Regiment, Middle East Forces. We don't know exactly where he was stationed. But the Army post office did. They sent it to Field Post Office 148, near his camp. There it was backstamped with their cancellation. These envelopes are often collected by their Field Office numbers, and some are quite rare.

Brigade in POW camp.Stalag

Jewish units fought with the Allies in Greece in 1941; 100 Palestinian Jews were killed there and 1,700 captured by the Germans. For the most part they were treated like their fellow British soldiers, although there was brutality. Here some are posing for a photo, in the POW camp Stalag VIIIB, in Lamsdorf in western Poland.

A Soldier Authorizes a Get

On 18 June 1941 Louis Pasher signed this document. It authorizes any rabbis of Jerusalem to issue a 'Get' - bill of Divorce- as his agent, in the event that he doesn't return from battle within a year of the end of hostilities. This way his wife would not become an 'Agunah' - a wife anchored to a missing husband whose status is in limbo. A dark but considerate act in light of the number of casualties in WWII.

Arab ally POW

Although many Arab leaders identified with the Nazi plans for Jews, there were some who fought for the Allies. This postcard was sent by Eid Yacoub, held prisoner of war in camp Stalag III-D near Berlin. He gives his home address in Palestine. He writes the Red Cross in Switzerland, hoping they will notify his family. He signed the card in Arabic, under the phrase 'I am well'.

Jewish Brigade training depot

Jews wanted to fight under their own flag. Some British leaders were afraid a Jewish army could turn against them. Sympathy for Hitler's victims carried the day. July 3, 1944, the British government consented to the establishment of a Jewish Brigade. Headquarters was established in Egypt. The Zionist flag was officially approved as its standard. This letter was sent there in March 1945.

Brigade Shoulder patches

The uniform was British. The shoulder patches identifying their units were distinctive. A strip reading 'Jewish Brigade Group' in English, and a Hebrew letter abbreviation that said the same thing. Below, blue and white stripes borrowed from the flag, with a golden Jewish star in the middle. (The Hebrew letters also make up the word 'Chayal' meaning soldier.

Jewish brigadier in uniform

This photo of a Jewish Brigadier in uniform shows how the patches were worn on his shoulder.

Recruitment

These labels and recruitment pamphlet all in Hebrew call upon the Jews of Palestine to enlist. The pamphlet contains speeches of encouragement from the Zionist leaders of the day.

Jewish Brigade newspaper

In October the group joined the British 8th Army in Italy. They took part in the Final Offensive against Germany in Italy. 'Lahayal' - For the Soldier - was published daily for the Brigade soldiers in Europe. This issue is dated 6 May 1945. A headline declares "The final hour of the European war is approaching". Articles mention captures and surrenders in various theaters of war.

Parachutists and pins

33 enlisted Jews joined a Special Operations Unit. They parachuted into Yugoslavia and entered Hungary to organize resistance and escape behind enemy lines. These 7 were caught and executed. The most famous parachutist was Hannah Senesh, 23, who had made Aliyah from Hungary. She is also famous for her poems. The stamps honor them. The pins were worn at reunion anniversaries.

Jewish Brigade in Europe

Sargent Levitzky is stationed in Europe. The Field Post Office number 690 is identified with the British Liberation Army, also called the BAOR -British Army Of the Rhine. The rubber stamp on his aerogram reads '2nd Jewish Battalion, Palestine Regiment'.

Brigade in Europe

The top envelope was sent by a soldier from Italy to Tel Aviv. He was in a transport unit and had just arrived. The FPO #730 tells us he is in Italy. The bottom postcard is from FPO # 440. That was in Belgium. The Brigade was moved there in July 1945. The rubber stamp identifies his unit.

Brigade Stationery

This note is dated 12 April 1946. It is written on stationery of the Jewish Brigade. The patch is illustrated on the left. On the right in Hebrew and English is the name of the unit. It is the 604 Battery of the 200 Jewish Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery, British Army Of the Rhine.

Synagogue ambulance project

Dr. Joseph Hertz, Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, led this campaign to raise funds for a unique vehicle - a combination synagogue and ambulance. It was to be used by chaplains servicing Jewish soldiers. Further, it will offer destroyed communities a religious gathering place. It will be fully equipped for first aid work. The vehicle costs 1000 pounds and the equipment, including Torah scrolls, cost another 1000 pounds.

Synagogue ambulance photo

Remarkably, such a vehicle (and perhaps others) was put into service. This photo shows Jewish Brigadiers posing in front of it. Their Brigade patches are clearly visible on their shoulders. The words "Community of the Jewish People" and 'Synagogue Ambulance' are visible. It seems this one was funded by the Jews of Curacao. At the left is painted the British flag.

Brigade liberating camps

Brigadiers came into increasing contact with Jewish survivors. They provided them with aid. As their army duties wound down, they played a key role in efforts to help Jews escape Europe for Palestine - a role many were to continue after the Brigade disbanded. Imagine the feelings of survivors at being rescued by Jews proudly wearing a uniform with a yellow star on the shoulder.

Brigade helps survivors

This letter was written by the Central Jewish Committee in the Displaced Persons camp at Bergen Belsen, after the war. It praises Sargeant Tuvia Schwartz for his help with surviving Jews during his Military service in Europe. Dated 10 March 1946, only a few months before his unit was demobilized.

Legal Immigration

Legal immigration was permitted but was subject to quotas and restrictions, especially after 1930. The process was managed by the Jewish Agency (Sochnut), which represented the Jewish population to the British government. They issued the certificates and kept records on immigrants. This index card records immigrant Mordechai Leinwand, age 19, who is a tractorist. His photo is on the back.

The Teheran Children

A group that was granted admission, on humanitarian grounds, was the Tehran Children group. They were refugees and orphans from Poland who ended up in Iran. They were brought to Palestine through the Youth Aliyah organization headed by Henrietta Szold. Here the bank notifies her, in December 1942, that money has been donated on behalf of those children. (35 of them later fought and fell in the War of Independence).

Immigrant Austrian

This is David Friedmann's Austrian passport, issued in 1934. He was born in 1909 and is a businessman. The endorsements entitle him to travel to Europe, Africa, Syria and Palestine. He traveled widely.

Visa to Palestine

On 26 March 1935 he obtained a visa to Palestine from the British passport office in Prague. It says it is only good for two months.

Permanent immigrant

Another interesting stamp, dated 26 June 1947, states that he may remain permanently in Palestine as an immigrant! Did he hide in the country for 12 years until he could become legal? There are no stamps after 1935 and his passport actually expired in 1939, by which time he would probably have become stateless and a victim in Europe.

Mandate.Citizenship.a

Feivish Mendelewitch from Dvinsk, Latvia came to Palestine with his wife Mina and son Aharon. He changed his name to a more modern Shraga ben-Menachem. He has applied for citizenship for all of them and this certificate grants them citizenship signed/stamped by the high commissioner John chancellor (1928-31), dated 2 June 1930.

Mandate.Citizenship.b

S.S. Frossoula

When Germany occupied Czechoslovakia, 650 Jews reached a rusted ship 'Frossoula' and sailed 127 days to reach Beirut. There they were held in Quarantine. Transferred to another ship of illegals, 'Tiger Hill' was beached at Tel Aviv in September. The British detained them, then released them to the Jewish Agency which absorbed them into the country. This envelope, sent from Prague in August, is addressed to the Ship Frossoula. Notice the word 'Quarantined' on the left.

Aliyah Bet.undercover

Over 100,000 Jews attempted to enter Palestine on 142 voyages. Most were intercepted by the British. Haganah and Irgun agents in Europe organized these voyages. This envelope was sent from a known illegal immigration send-off center in Bucharest Romania. The code name was Alex. Mailed in November 1947 to Tel Aviv.

Atlit Detention Center

Atlit was an army base and also a detention center. Illegal immigrants taken off ships were brought here. It held over 10,000 internees. This card illustrates the camp with its barbed wire. It is addressed to the UN official in Jerusalem demanding that the British be removed from the land.

Atlit cover from Romania

This envelope was sent registered from Romania to Atlit In February 1948. It arrived but it is not clear if the addressee was still there. Internees were released when the British left the country. Today it is a museum.

Atlit.food token

This cardboard token was a meal ticket given out to internees. It is for supper and was distributed by the Jewish Agency. It identifies the place as "Camp for Illegals Atlit".

Sailing for Palestine Hopefully

This photo postcard shows and identifies a ship leaving for Palestine from Brindisi Italy. It was mailed 20 January 1938. Hopefully they got through. Italy was eventually home to thousands of Jews who were in 45 DP camps and numerous Hachshara groups, and Brindisi was a popular point of departure.

Catching and Transferring illegals

Over 120 ships made over 140 voyages with 'illegals' trying to reach Palestine. The British patrolled the shores and intercepted most of them. Here they are being transferred from their ship to a transport vessel. The soldier who took this picture wrote on the back what was happening. He notes that a British destroyer had rammed the ship and had it not run aground it would have sunk.

Sarafand Detention Camp

The ship Skaria was the last to reach Palestine until after the war. It carried 2300 refugees. Intercepted, 300 women and children were released but 1600 men were sent to Atlit and 400 to Sarafand - a large British army base and detention camp. They were released after 6 months. The writer says "With regard to the certificates, we have to talk to a lawyer and maybe we will be released from camp". Mailed from the camp in March 1940.

Maapilim support

The illegal immigration effort, by the Haganah and the Irgun, was called Aliyah Bet - Immigration plan B. The immigrants were known as 'Ma'apilim' based on the Biblical verse in Numbers 14 describing Jews who went up to the Land without permission. These tickets raise funds and show support for them. Notice the rowboat heads to shore in the dark of night. 'Our hearts are with the Ma'apilim'.

Help Patria Survivors

Ships holding 3600 Jews arrived from Romania in Nov 1940. Intercepted by the British, they were transferred to the ship ‘Patria’ for transport to an internment camp on Mauritius. Haganah activists placed a small charge on the ship to wreck the motors and prevent the ship from sailing. The charge exploded on November 25. Unfortunately, it created a large explosion, ripped a hole in the hull & caused the ship to sink rapidly. Most were rescued but about 267 died.The rest were interned at Athlit.

Patria Yizkor page

Composed to memorialize those who died on the Patria. 'They paid with their lives for seeking refuge in their homeland... Don't let the 3000 + Patria survivors be exiled again...". Issued by the (Jewish) Community Guard. Dated 27 Heshvan 5701/ 28 November 1940. They were allowed to remain in the Land.

Haganah ribbon

The Haganah ('defense') was the Jewish communities unofficial defense force, particularly during the rise of Arab violence. They also played a major role in getting 'illegal immigrants' into the country. After independence, they became the official army of the state. Members who served before 1948 were awarded this ribbon.

Receipt plea to British

This donation receipt is a plea for reason: "We call to the British people and its representatives Give refuge to the wandering Jews in their homeland. Don’t let the fate of these refugees from the Nazis be that of those on the Patria and Struma (which sank – and should be investigated by the Parliament). Call for freedom and redemption for the rescued. My voice is with my comrades who call for refuge." We see an image of a ship reaching the shore, and a map showing Jewish settlements.

British Naval service medal

This medal was awarded to the British sailors who manned the patrol boats and did their best to prevent 'illegal immigrants' from reaching Palestine.

Mauritius Internment Camp

In November 1940 3 ships carrying Jews from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia arrived at Haifa. The British deported 1584 of them to Mauritius, an island east of Africa, where they spent the war in a detention camp. Conditions were poor and over 100 died fro disease. The Jewish Agency looked after their needs. Most returned to Palestine after the war. This envelope was sent from Mauritius to Tel Aviv in August 1944.

SS Exodus 1947

The Exodus 1947 was bought by the Haganah in the USA. It departed from France on July 11 with 4515 Jewish 'illegals' aboard. The British boarded it forcibly on the 18th, 20 miles from Palestine shores. All were put on safer ships and returned to the British controlled sector of Germany - where many had been held in concentration camps! Many escaped and actually did reach Palestine. Most others were caught and sent to Cyprus detention camps. They wouldn't be released until 1949.

'Exodus' Pendant

A movie entitled 'Exodus' was produced in 1960, dramatizing the end of Mandate and beginning of Israel's independence. This 30 mm. pendant shows the movie's symbol of armed defense with hands reaching for a weapon. The other side shows a symbolic immigrant boat. It quotes Exodus 13:14 of the Biblical Exodus and the slogan 'Exodus to Freedom'.

Cyprus Detention Camp

From August 1946 until January 1949 the British interned illegals in 9 different camps in Cyprus. This envelope was mailed from there in January '48. The return address shows which camp, "70", and interestingly, a political party name - Mapai. Over the months many counselors, leaders and agents visited the internees. They came to identify with political groups. 750 each month were brought to Palestine. But over 53,000 were interned in Cyprus.

Cyprus canteen note

The Jewish agency provided teachers and social workers to these camps. It was the American Joint Distribution Committee that supplied medical and other care. This rare note would buy extra food in the canteen run by the 'Joint'.

Cyprus pass AJDC

This pass gave Mr Borz, a social worker from the 'Joint', access at all hours to the camps in July of 1948. He is staying in the camp in Xylotymbou.

Cyprus.Internal Mail.Hebrew

This cover is franked with a JNF label that is overprinted '5 M(ils)'. The cancellation is a rubber stamp reading 'Mazkirut Mahane 69' (Secretariat Camp 69). It is addressed to Shulamit Geller, Winter Camp, Cyprus. Camp 69 was 1 of the 7 winter Camps that offered more shelter. The sender is also from camp 69 so this seems like some internal correspondence.

Release from Cyprus camps

The British were releasing 750 detainees each month to Palestine. This card records the release of Rivka Blindt. On top it reads "First Transport of February Quota 1948". Notice it also records the illegal ship on which she arrived, named 'Ch(aim) Arlosoroff'. That ship had brought mostly girl survivors of the Holocaust in February 1947.

Cypriot arrival cover

This souvenir envelope is imprinted and postmarked with the day of the final release of detainees from Cyprus. The postmark shows a map of the island and says 'Welcome'. Below is a map of the island with some of the campsites named: Caraolos, Famagusta, Xylotymbou, and Dekhelia. Also the British hospital in Nicosia where 2000 babies were born. The fighting-age men were released last.

The Story of Cyprus Internment

Mandate.83a.immigrant not llegal

Illegal Immigrant I.D.

Zilla Katzenstein is a resident of Haifa. The British authorities are not sure of her status but want to be able to identify her so they issued this photo I.D. in 1945. Note the rubber stamp words at the top: "Possession of this card in no way constitutes evidence of legal residence in Palestine".

Jabotinsky and the Irgun

In 1931, a group split off from the Haganah. They felt that a policy of defensiveness and restraint was not going to meet Zionist goals. They followed Jabotinsky's philosophy that a) Every Jew had a right to enter Palestine b) Only active retaliation would stop Arab terror & c) Jewish armed force would guarantee a Jewish state. They called themselves the IRGUN Tzevai Le'umi - 'Etzel'. This medal pictures their inspirational leader Jabotinsky.

Irgun borders of Israel

Referring back to the Balfour Declaration, the Irgun claimed all of Palestine for a Jewish state. That included the substantial, (although partly desert) lands east of the Jordan, which the British had already in the 1920s decided to grant to the Arabs. It was known as Transjordan (Ever Hayarden). Irgun literature always showed these borders.

Shlomo ben Yosef 1938

The Irgun adopted tactics of retaliation against Arab attacks and British policies that favored Arabs. Endless attacks by Arabs during the Revolt brought counter attacks. In March 1938 Arabs ambushed a car and killed 6. In April Shlomo and 2 others attacked an Arab bus with guns & a grenade. No one died, but Authorities were determined to make an example. Shlomo was hanged in Akko prison on 29 June 1938 despite much pressure. He was the first true martyr for the Irgun cause.

Irgun.4 hanged.1947

Irgun and Lehi heroes

Moshe Barazani, a member of Lehi, was caught carrying a grenade (on the way to assassinate a British officer), and sentenced to death. He met Irgunist Meir Feinstein in the Jerusalem jail, who was caught trying to blow up the railroad station. Before they could be hanged they killed themselves with a grenade smuggled inside an orange. They are among 14 martyrs who had not been commemorated on stamps so these labels were issued in 1967 on the 20th anniversary of their deaths.

Commemorating those executed

Olei Hagardom refers to members of the two Jewish Revisionist pre-state underground organisations, Irgun & Lehi, who were tried in British Mandate courts and sentenced to death by hanging, most of them in Acre prison. There were 12 Olei Hagardom. This stamp and envelope call them Harugei Malchut - Killed by (foreign) government - and honors their memory along with periodic observances.

Irgun sticker

The Irgun slogan "Rak Kach" - Only Thus - showed a rifle imposed over a map of 'greater Israel'. Only with armed force would Arabs be deterred and Palestine made into a Jewish homeland. This Irgun recruitment sticker reads: "Break the chains of slavery. Be a free and proud man. Volunteer for the freedom fighting underground."

Irgun.receipt May 48

Mr. Joseph Ratchik donated 40 Lira/pounds to the 'Iron Fund' of the Irgun in May 1948. This is the receipt for that generous donation, demonstrating some popular support for their approach.

Irgun in USA - labels

The American League for a Free Palestine was an American arm of the Irgun, led by the Bergson group. This fundraising label, designed by famous illustrator Arthur Szyk, compares the freedom ships of illegal immigration to the Mayflower Pilgrims.

Yair Stern and Lehi

Idealist Stern abandoned his study of classics to be an Irgun organizer in Europe. Although the Haganah and Irgun supported the British war effort, the White Paper restrictions on Jewish immigration continued. Yair led a break-a-way faction of the Irgun, continuing to attack British installations and infrastructure, and named it Lehi - Lochamei Herut Yisrael - Freedom Fighters of Israel. Lehi, jawbone, was also used by Samson to kill a lion.

Yair Stern's Poem

Stern wrote poetry. Here he describes the lot of his organization: We are lone soldiers without uniform, Around us fear and the darkness of death, We've all enlisted for the rest of our lives, Only death will free us from service.

LEHI Assassin Martyrs

On 6 November 1944, Eliyahu Beit-Zuri and Eliyahu Hakim of the LEHI group assassinated Lord Moyne (Walter Guinness) in Cairo. He was Resident Minister of State for all British interests in the Middle East. They considered him personally responsible for Britain's anti-Zionist pro-Arab policies. They were hanged in Cairo 22 March 1945.

Nili, Etzel, Lehi Martyrs

This booklet, published by Betar of South Africa in 1957, memorializes 14 fighters and activists who were executed for attempted and successful assassinations from 1917 to 1947. These patriotic Zionists risked disapproval and ultimately execution for their cause.

Lehi flyer.Government of Chaos

This Lehi handbill circulated in the Fall of 1947. It derisively calls the British Authorities 'Government of Chaos' (Tohu vaVohu, after Genesis 1:2) and exhorts people not to pay them any taxes. 'Pay your taxes to a Jewish fund. We can take care of ourselves.'

Tohu stamps

The theme was carried over to these Mandate stamps which are overprinted 'Memshelet Tohu vaVohu' and went through the mail. The envelope bears no stamp, just a drawing with the words: 'Don't enrich the Government of Chaos' presumably by buying Mandate stamps.

Central Prison Jerusalem

Britain turned the former Russian Compound into their Jerusalem headquarters. A former women's hostel became Jerusalem's Central Prison. Arrested Irgun and Lehi members were held here. This envelope was sent from Tel Aviv to Yosef Shalem held in the prison.

Internees Akko

The Akko Citadel had been a prison under the Ottomans. It was Britain's main prison in the north, for rioting Arabs and later the Jewish underground. Mordechai Nemirovsky , a Haganah leader was held here (He later became mayor of Tel-Aviv.) The Irgun organized a jailbreak in May 1947, helping 28 members escape. 7 died in the fighting. 3 attackers were hanged by the British. The Irgun responded by killing & hanging 2 British soldiers. This episode contributed to Britain giving up the Mandate.

Akko jailbreak

The Irgun organized a jailbreak of the Akko prison in May 1947, helping 28 Irgun and Lehi members escape, along with numerous Arabs. Seven members died in the fighting. Three attackers were later hanged by the British. The Irgun responded by killing & hanging 2 British soldiers. This episode contributed to Britain giving up the Mandate and leaving Palestine.

Prison Latrun A

Latrun A, the first part of the prison camp, was opened in 1940. Originally for POWs and sympathizers, it eventually held underground activists as well. Shaul Harrari-Raful writes his lawyer in Jerusalem from his cell in 'Prison Camp Latrun A'. His letter was censored on 17 September 1947. All prisoner mail went through a central office in Jerusalem.

Prison Latrun B

Latrun B was a major prison holding POWs, suspected sympathizers including Arabs, and those associated with the underground. Yisrael Rokeah was mayor of Tel Aviv. In fury and frustration, after their 2 sergeants were hung, the British imprisoned him and other leaders for several weeks in August 1947, to no avail. Notice he is addressed as a 'VIP'.

Mazraa Prison Camp

Zeev Trensky is writing from Mazraa Detention Camp in 1942. It must be near Akko since it is stamped 'Acre Farm Labor Camp'. Interestingly he is writing to Henrietta Szold, who was leading the effort to bring and settle immigrant children from the war.

Internees Women's prison

In 1930, the Palestine Police used a building in Bethlehem as a separate prison for women & in 1943, a house in the center of the city held female members of the underground. This chatty letter arrived in 1940. Her mother and sister are sending Rahel toiletries, linens and knitting material. Some were mothers, separated from their children. The women were not released until the British left.

R' Levin's permit

Rabbi Aryeh Levin took special and unusual interest in the imprisoned activists and visited them regularly. He gave them encouragement and comfort and eased their distress. They considered him an angel. This very letter from the Commissioner of Prisons dated July 1947 gives him permission to visit the prisons in Akko and Bethlehem.

The 251 are exiled

In October 1944, The British transferred 251 prisoners from Latrun to Sambel Camp near Asmara in Eritrea Africa. This handbill from the Irgun cries out for them. "Remember the 251. If you go about business as usual, tomorrow it could be thousands!"

Mandate bulletin

This bulletin was the Mandatory Government's official notice of record for legal and administrative announcements. This issue, from 12 October 1944 is number 1364. Judges, land, health, publications, taxes, etc all included. Interesting is the 2 1/2 page list of name changes from foreign to Hebrew.

Mandate bulletin Appeal to Yishuv

The opening paragraph in this issue is an appeal to the community. In part it reads: "His Majesty's forces have defended the country for 5 years...Recently there has been outrageous violence by Jewish terrorists...explosions, murders... They are impeding the war effort - assisting the enemy...Do your utmost to assist in eradicating this evil...give information...Don't bring shame and dishonor on the Jewish People." A week later the Irgun inmates in Latrun were deported to Africa.

Internees Camp Sambol Asmara

Conditions in Camp Sambol near Asmara were decent, but food was scarce. Three months later a few made their first escape. All were rounded up and transferred by ship to Carthage in the Sudan.

Internee Camp Carthage Sudan

The group was held in Carthage for 9 months in 1945. The heat was fierce and there was little water. Kosher meat, which had been available, was now withheld. Intervention from rabbis helped solve the problem. Escapes were ongoing but not successful. Internee Abraham Igelsky writes from Carthage: 'Life is boring...I'm innocent...I've been sitting in detention for 17 months...talk to a lawyer...'. They were returned to Asmara in October.

Asmara Internee letter

In 1946 Shlomo Trachtman wrote to the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem a poignant letter asking him to summon his wife and act as his agent in handing her a 'Get'. He has consulted with a rabbi and had the Bill of Divorce written and signed by two witnesses. According to his wife's letters, she is eager to receive it. And in addition, the Rabbi should please help him. He now has no one and has been confined for 5 years!

Asmara Internee Divorce

This page is the actual document of the Divorce written in Camp Asmara. It conforms, with slight differences, to the standard traditional text of a divorce document. It is written carefully, but not in the square script of a scribe. There is an attempt to preserve the tradition of high ascender letters and low descender letters, to prevent any changes to the text.

Internees Asmara to Kenya

The escape attempts continued and in June 54 men got out through 2 tunnels. It took until September but they were all caught. The British were embarrassed and decided to move everyone further south to Kenya. Yehoshua Cohen sent the top envelope in January 1946 from Asmara. He sent the bottom one in April 1947 from Kenya.

Gilgil Kenya

On March 2nd the internees were transferred further south to a military prison in Gilgil Kenya. It was dark, close, and full of mosquitoes and sewage, but after protest improved. Escapes continued. Finally on July 12th 1948 the internee exiles were returned to Israel, & promptly joined the war effort. This envelope was mailed on March 21 through the regular mails. The return address is very clear. It was stamped on arrival by a group - La'asireinu - that helped internees and their families.

Kenya cover front

Kenya cover back

Escapees from Kenya

This original photo pictures some of the internees. It is inscribed on the back: "Part of the group of 43 that escaped from Kenya".

UN to Camp Gilgil

This envelope from the UN at Lake Success NY to Gilgil is addressed to Z. Hadassi, camp supervisor. Postmarked Jan 23, it arrived March 23, 1948. It is likely a reply to a letter that can be seen online, which Hadassi sent on January 2nd, describing the plight of the internees and asking for intervention on their behalf.

Gilgil to UN.letter copy

This is a copy of the letter Hadassi sent to UN secretary-general Trigve Lie dated 2 January 1948. 'On behalf of 288 Jewish detainees... who were never brought for trial ... 38 months of detention in exile have caused great hardship ... their families lost sole supporters ... use your authority to bring a speedy end to this unjust situation.'

Internee medal

This medal was eventually presented to internees. The front reads "Symbol of Captivity" and pictures a barbed wire stockade and guard tower. The back shows the familiar symbol of the Irgun: An arm grasping a rifle, imposed on the map of 'Greater Palestine' with the words Rak Kach - Only Thus.

Haganah medal

After the end of the war the Haganah began a period of co-operation with the 2 underground organizations, forming the Jewish Resistance Movement. While the underground groups attacked British installations outright, & blew up bridges to stop arms transfers to Arabs, the Haganah focused on illegal immigration. This medal was given to its members for their efforts in 1945-48. It bears the symbol for the Haganah which became the symbol of the Israel Defense Forces, and Israel's Coat of Arms.

British Service Medal

The atmosphere became tense and acrimonious. British soldiers made outright anti-semitic remarks. They conducted arbitrary searches. Each side retaliated against the other. With buildings being blown up and soldiers killed, serving at this time was dangerous and unrewarding. Eventually Britain simply gave up and referred the issue of Palestine to the UN. This medal was awarded to British soldiers who served in this period. 100,000 troops were stationed in Palestine.

Pro-British Anti-Zionist

Antisemitic Leaflet for the British Soldier - 1948 A Policeman’s Lament - With Hell As their National Home. Addressed to British Soldiers! British Policemen! British Civilians!. An anti semitic, anti Jewish and anti zionist propaganda leaflet, published by the AMO (Arab Military Organization) in 3.3.1948, in an attempt to incite British against the Jews in Palestine.

British soldier Anti-semitism

"Hell is (the Zionists) National Home...Wipe the synagogues all off the earth...blow up their damned wailing Wall...Arabs do not mean to attack you ...do not let irresponsible small incidents make you forget the real enemy!"

Zionism.British.medal.45 to 48_edited

Three Sides, 3 medals

These medals were awarded to each of the 3 groups for action during the same period.

UNSCOP

Britain couldn't stand the chaos, the cost, and the bad PR. In April 1947 the issue was formally referred to the UN. A United Nations committee, the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) was sent to investigate the problem. On August 31, 1947, UNSCOP recommended that Palestine be partitioned into Jewish and Arab states. (On September 20, 1947, the British cabinet voted to evacuate Palestine.) This is what their stationery looked like.

UNSCOP ticket

The commission was headquartered in the Jerusalem YMCA building and there sessions took place there. This is a ticket to 1 of the UN sessions.

UN Jewish plan partition

This thick book lays out the Jewish plan for Palestine. Jews were in favor of partition while Arabs insisted on controlling it all. This plan deals with populations, jobs, agriculture, etc.

Lehi: No partition

The Irgun and Lehi, consistent with their positions, were against partition and wanted to claim all of Palestine, even though Arabs had been given control of Transjordan decades before. They certainly didn't want to give up more. This sticker shows the Lehi symbol and reads: 'Against the partition of the Land of Israel'.

For a Jewish state

This mainstream sticker and button campaign for a Jewish Palestine - a Jewish State.

Palestine for the Arabs

Arabs, too, had their lobbying and argued for an Arab Palestine, as these labels show.

Save Palestine Arab Lands

This envelope was sent from Transjordan to a business in Haifa on 25 November 1947. That was just 4 days before the United Nations was to vote about partitioning Palestine into two entities - a Jewish and an Arab. The sender is aware of the impending vote and rubber stamped a pro-Arab slogan - "Save Palestine Arab Lands".

Irgun Transjordan to Israel rule

This envelope wasn't mailed. It bears a Transjordanian stamp, and an Israel stamp cancelled on its first day of issue, May 14, 1948. Rubberstamped across the 2 stamps is the phrase in Hebrew 'Transjordan under Jewish rule'. The map on the left side shows the territory being claimed.

Partition

The vote to partition Western Palestine into a Jewish and an Arab region was passed on 29 November 1947. That date, always expressed in the civil calendar, became a minor holiday to the Jewish people. The top sticker is from that day and quotes 'Arise Arise and don your strength' from Isaiah. The JNF label shows the areas given to each side, the darker portion to be Jewish.

Partition borders

Comparing the JNF map to a map of Jewish settlements at that time, it's easy to see that their borders were governed by their locations. The Negev was really unsettled by either. The British thought giving it to the Jews would be a good buffer between the East and the Suez canal.

Zionist Jubilee.Cancellation

The Zionist federation celebrated its 50th anniversary in August 1947, in Carlsbad, Czechoslovakia. Two Zionist congresses had convened there in the 1920s. It was famous for its hot springs which were thought to have healing powers. The Czech name of the town is Karlovy Vary, seen in the special postmark made for the occasion.

1947 Zionist Jubilee Map

This special postcard was sent from there when it ended, on august 15th. The front of the card shows a topographical map of ’Palestine’. The areas of Jewish settlement are shaded black.

Irgun reaction to Partition

Last day British mail May 5

The British mandatory government was to leave Palestine on May 14th. In preparation for their departure they decided to officially end their postal service on May 5th. This envelope was sent on that last day, from Tel Aviv to Givat Brenner.

Minhelet Haam

There would be at least 10 days of no postal service. To bridge this gap the Provisional government stepped in. There were some Mandate stamps left, but more were needed. The JNF had been producing stickers and labels all along, for educational & fundraising purposes. Conveniently, they bore values. These were used for postage and validated with a rubber stamped 'Do'ar' ('post'). New cancellations were prepared reading 'Minhelet Ha'am' (People's Administration) and the name of the city.

Mixed franking

This envelope was mailed locally in Haifa on May 19th. A remaining Mandate stamp was used and a JNF label too. A letter cost 10 mils to mail but registration was an additional 15 mils. This letter went registered, for a total of 25 mils. The cancel in the lower corner is Mandate, with the date reset to May 10th.

Nahariya sea mail

The Arabs did not wait for May 14th to attack Jewish towns. Hostilities began soon after the UN Partition decision on November 29th. When they blocked the road to Haifa in March, Nahariya, to its north, was completely isolated. So they received their food, ammunition, and mail like this, with motorboats from Haifa. The stenciled postmark reads "Emergency Mail - Nahariya". Mailed April 11th.

Rishon LeTziyon Armored car

In March, the road from Rishon LeTziyon north to Tel Aviv became too dangerous for travel. The local council established an Armored Car postal service with armed guards. They created this stamp, charging 40 mils, for the service. It continued for about 2 months. This envelope traveled to Tel Aviv on April 27.

Beseiged Tzefat mail

The British closed the Tzefat post office on February 26th. Their patrols continued until April 16th and drivers were bribed to take mail out. Then there was an Arab siege on the Jewish community. Palmach fighters provided defense. These special stamps were printed on the inside of envelopes starting May 4th. This envelope was mailed May 7th to Tel Aviv.

Jerusalem siege mail

Jerusalem was under siege as well. Only infrequent armored cars traveled the road, some lying to this day where they were attacked. On May 9th, during a cease-fire, mail was delivered and a JNF label was overprinted for use. It reads 'Doar' and the denomination - 5,10, & 25 mils. The design pictures the UN Partition map. New Israeli stamps weren't available until late June, and these were accepted as late as September. This envelope mailed May 9th on its first day of use.

A New Generation

This postcard captures the feelings of the country on the verge of independence. Printed in Jerusalem, it declares: A new generation will come to the Land that doesn't know the yoke of exile. The sun glows behind the Old City, children play by the shore, and a scoutmaster blows a call of freedom under the flag.