A fierce poster issued by the Lehi organization attacking Count Bernadotte, shortly before his assassination

“Fighters for the Freedom of Israel demand: Expel the foreign agents from our land!” - A particularly forceful broadside issued by the Lehi (Lohamei Herut Israel) organization, calling for the expulsion of the British “observers–spies” from Eretz Israel, and personally attacking Count Bernadotte, described as “a blatant British agent, whose role is to continue Bevin’s blood-soaked game of neutrality.” June, 1948.

The broadside states that the purpose of the truce is to nullify the achievements of the Hebrew armed forces, and that the truce regime is intended to restrict the sovereignty of the State of Israel and to establish a supreme Anglo-American regime in the country. It further attacks Count Bernadotte, declaring: “Bernadotte’s insolence is increasing: our country has been flooded with observer-spies who are mapping our positions and handing them over to the enemy.” “At the command of his British masters, Count Bernadotte is demanding the cessation of immigration, dictating the type and quantity of immigrants, and organizing a global blockade of the State of Israel.” The broadside concludes with the call: “Expel the foreign agents from our land!”

The term “truce” mentioned here refers to the first truce of the War of Independence, which came into effect on June 11, 1948, and lasted for four weeks, until July 8, 1948, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel. The first truce was achieved under pressure from the UN Security Council and the UN mediator, Count Folke Bernadotte, who served as a go-between for the young State of Israel and the Arab states. The aim of the truce was to allow a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes, to enable civilian and military organization, and to lay the groundwork for future political negotiations. Lehi claimed that the truce was a “new Anglo-Saxon tactic”, that is, a political maneuver by the British and their allies, intended to strengthen the Arabs, weaken the Jews, and prevent the continuation of the war, whose objective was the expulsion of the British and the consolidation of the newly born State of Israel. A few months later, on September 17, 1948, Count Bernadotte was assassinated in Jerusalem by a Lehi cell. Bernadotte was considered by Lehi members to be a threat to the future of the State of Israel, primarily due to his political proposals, which included, among other things, placing Jerusalem under international control and the return of Arab refugees. The assassination was carried out in broad daylight in the Katamon neighborhood, by a squad led by Yehoshua Zettler. The killing provoked widespread international condemnation, and Lehi was outlawed. The Provisional Government of Israel expressed regret over the act and took measures to dismantle the organization, many of whose members later joined the IDF.

Size: 48×32 cm. Fold marks. Good condition.