"Open the Burma Road for free passage" – a rare poster by the Lehi organization calling to open the transportation ...

"Open the Burma Road for free passage" – a rare poster by the Lehi organization calling to open the transportation route along the Burma Road in the midst of the battles of the War of Independence

A rare poster by the Lehi organization from Jerusalem, the capital, casting suspicion that the Burma Road was not closed for security reasons, but rather for the economic interests of the government monopoly in the midst of the battles of the War of Independence, and calling for its immediate opening. Tammuz 5708 (July–August 1948).

"A question to the city governors! The attempts to open the Latrun road with the help of UN observers have failed. From a military perspective, this is a clear violation of the truce... Why then is the Burma Road closed to free passage?..." The poster details that thousands of Jews from Tel Aviv wish to ascend to Jerusalem to visit their separated family members. These residents were told that there was a commitment to the UN observers not to use this route. But Lehi casts doubt on this claim: "Or perhaps the truth lies in even worse rumors: that certain known institutions are not interested in this free movement, because they wish to preserve their monopoly over the transport of food supplies from Tel Aviv a monopoly that raises food prices?" The poster concludes with the demand of Jerusalem’s Jews: "Open the Burma Road for free passage, as was promised on the road to Latrun!".

During the War of Independence, the main road from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (Highway No. 1) was blocked by Arab forces, primarily in the area of Sha'ar HaGai. This blockade threatened the Jewish community in Jerusalem, which was almost entirely cut off from supplies. In response, through an impressive engineering and logistical operation, the "Burma Road" was constructed, an alternative dirt road that bypassed the blockades from the south, through the hilly terrain between Kibbutz Hulda and Sha'ar HaGai. Work on the road began in May 1948, and it was opened for operational use later that same month, initially for foot convoys, and subsequently for light vehicles. By June 1948, the first convoy of vehicles had already passed through. A month later, the Burma Road was closed due to a commitment made to UN observers, a move Lehi questioned, claiming it was motivated by business interests. The Burma Road enabled the continued transport of supplies, weapons, and food to the besieged city, and was a decisive factor in the Jewish community's ability to hold out in Jerusalem until the main road was reopened during Operation "Yoram" and later Operation "Danny".

32x24 cm. Very good condition.