Thursday, March 20, 2014

My Letter on the Palmach and the Templars

On January 30th this year, a book review was published by Alexander Zvielli, "Swastikas over Tel Aviv".

I had a letter published but it seems it isn't on-line.

So, here it is:


The review of Heidemarie Wawrzyn's new book, "Nazis in the Holy Land", by Alexander Zvielli (Jan. 31) mentions that "Jews objected to and criticized" the activities of the local Nazis in Mandate Palestine from amongst the Templar community.  I think additional activities should be recalled that Zveilli did not include.
On March 22, 1946, the Palmach assassinated Gotthilf Wagner, former Burgomaster of Sarona, on Tel Aviv's Levinsky Street.  Another violent attack against the Templar village Waldheim, today Alonei Abba, was comitted on September 17, 1946, also by the Palmach. Given the Palmach's opposition to the 'terror' of the Irgun and Lechi, its operations and their character in this case, and that the war in Europe was already over for months, this episode is unique in the Yishuv's armed struggle history and it also reflects of the way Germans were viewed at the time.

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