"The Capital" - a rare internal publication of "Bnei Etzel" in Jerusalem - December 1948 - the first publication of ...

"The Capital" - a rare internal publication of "Bnei Etzel" in Jerusalem - December 1948 - the first publication of the Bnei Etzel organization

HaBirah. bulletin of Bnei Etzel Jerusalem - Hanukkah Issue, December 1948 - "Internal" - The first publication issued by the organization recently established in Jerusalem. Rare stencil printed booklet covering the pressing issues dealt with upon its establishment - the events of the War of Independence in Jerusalem, and the continuation of Etzel's activity after the Declaration of Independence in the war against the Arab invader, in settlement, and the establishment of the new organization.

An internal booklet of the youth movement "Bnei Etzel" in Jerusalem issued for the Hanukkah holiday. The movement dealt with realizing Etzel's vision after the state's establishment - "Aliyah to the desolate lands of our homeland and preparing them for the settlement of our immigrating brothers" and this is the first booklet it issued. Among others it includes the movement's principles and articles written by movement members on topics like the justice of the War of Liberation and its continuation: "Israel's war will not end until all of Eretz Israel is liberated", the war against the Arab enemy: "Repelling the Arab invader... Any reconciliation with the territories held by the enemy within the borders of the homeland is akin to loss. Our role is to comb through, comb thoroughly our land of the enemy and establish a security belt around it", the ultimate removal of the British from Eretz Israel, and settlement. It also includes articles on topics like "Hanukkah 1948 in the Exile of Kenya" - a vivid description of how the exiles in Kenya celebrated the Hanukkah holiday, songs of Kenyan exile, "Hanukkah Last Year" - on the Hanukkah holiday amidst the battles of the War of Independence and the defense battles in the Old City of Jerusalem, events in the Old City since the British left on May 13: "The Arabs entered almost every synagogue the Jews of the Old City took shelter in... The blood of the defenders flowed like water in the streets and from time to time a new list of casualties arrived. We no longer paid attention to the lists because we thought that soon we too would go in their path... There were not enough nurses to care for the many wounded and some of them died due to lack of treatment...". Also includes articles on beginning the realization through establishing new settlements, camp life, a jokes column (about Ben-Gurion's visit to the mental hospital in Bat Yam), and more.

The "Bnei Etzel" youth movement in Jerusalem was established in October 1948 by youth from Jerusalem neighborhoods Katamon, Givat Sha'ul, city center and Nahlaot with separate branches for general and religious youth. In addition to pioneering and military activities, the movement had a choir, orchestra, and even a soccer team. It also assisted the needy, provided jobs for immigrants, and training courses.

It should be noted that the Etzel organization itself, from which "Bnei Etzel" sought inspiration for their new organization, was also established in Jerusalem in 1931 when a large group from the Jerusalem branch of the "Haganah" organization (led by Avraham ("Gideon") Tehommy, who was branch commander until shortly before the split), demanded forceful action against the Arab aggression of those days, broke from the "Haganah" and established Etzel.

40 p. 20 cm. Very good condition.