Studies in the History of Zionism

Appendix 1 (for the educator)

Speech by the Representative of Haganah National Command

Fellow members of our struggle, I am certain you were surprised when you received the invitation to this secret meeting and even more surprised to find yourselves sitting around the table with opponents from other underground organizations. We are all people of action, so I will get straight to the point.

It is a fateful moment for the Jewish community and the entire Jewish people. Our struggle to establish the Jewish state has met with British refusal to abandon the White Paper policy. The British are preventing our brothers, survivors of the Holocaust, the last remnant of European Jewry, from emigrating to their homeland, and they are trying to strangle all Jewish settlement efforts.

Haverim, the Haganah National Command wishes to submit a proposal to help end our distress. For our mutual goal, let us unite, establish a joint organization, and fight the British TOGETHER.

At this moment, I know, the idea seems impossible. But let us forget our past differences. Let us permit our scars to heal on behalf of our mutual goal. Let us unify and unite.

Think about our proposal. I hope that for the sake of our common future, you will be able to shake off your bitter memories of the past and relate to it positively.

Appendix 2 -- Representatives of the Haganah

You are representatives of the Haganah. You have been summoned to a secret meeting with representatives of the three underground organizations.

Just now you have heard a representative of the Haganah National Command proposing unification of the underground organizations in order to conduct a joint struggle against the British.

You are surprised to find yourselves together with representatives of Etzel and Lehi, whose terrorist tactics you categorically condemn. Only recently you collaborated in handing members of these organizations to the British. Nevertheless, you are aware of the situation. Thousands of Jews are crying out to enter Palestine, and the British are continuing in their evil resolve to arrest and deport them. It is a fateful moment for the Zionist enterprise and the entire Jewish people.

Can you forget your past differences for the sake of the common goal and reach an understanding with your opponents?

Hold a serious and thorough discussion of the proposal. Consider the following subjects and questions.

1. Are you willing to establish a joint organization?
2. What concessions are you willing to make?
3. What concessions are you not willing to make?
4. What will you call this joint organization?
5. What, in your opinion, are the actions and operations that this organization should undertake?

Throughout the discussion, you may sit with representatives of the other underground movements in order to work through the problems and, if need be, to raise new ideas and proposals.

Appendix 3 -- Representatives of Etzel

You are representatives of the Irgun Tzva'i Le’umi, Etzel. You have been summoned to a secret meeting with representatives of the three underground organizations.

Just now you have heard a representative of the Haganah national command proposing unification of the underground organizations in order to conduct a joint struggle against the British.

You are surprised to find yourselves sitting with representatives of the other underground organizations. Since your organization’s declaration of rebellion against the British, you have drawn closer to Lehi, which broke away from you over a disagreement whether to help the British fight World War II. By contrast, between you and the Haganah there has been only tension and hostility. Recently, the Haganah handed members of your organization over to the British. Nevertheless, you are aware of the situation. Thousands of Jews are crying out enter Palestine, and the British are continuing in their evil resolve to arrest deport them. It is a fateful moment for the Zionist enterprise and for the entire Jewish people.

Can you forget your past differences for the sake of the common goal and reach an understanding with your opponents?

Hold a serious and thorough discussion of the proposal. Consider the following subjects and questions.

1. Are you willing to establish a joint organization?
2. What concessions are you willing to make?
3. What concessions are you not willing to make?
4. What will you call this joint organization?
5. What, in your opinion, are the actions and operations that this organization should undertake?

Throughout the discussion, you may sit with representatives of the other underground movements in order to work through the problems and if need be to raise new ideas and proposals.

Appendix 4 -- Representatives of the Lehi

You are representatives of the Lohamei Herut Yisrael, Lehi. You have been summoned to a secret meeting with representatives of the three underground organizations.

Just now you have heard the representative of the Haganah national command proposing unification of the underground organizations in order to conduct a joint struggle against the British.

You are surprised to find yourselves sitting with representatives of the other underground organizations. Since the Etzel's declaration of armed rebellion against the British, you have drawn closer to Etzel, from which you broke over a disagreement whether to the British fight World War II. By contrast, there has been only tension and hostility between you and the Haganah, which has collaborated with the British -- the main enemy of the Jewish community.

Nevertheless, you are aware of the situation. Thousands of Jews are crying out to enter Palestine, and the British are continuing in their evil resolve to arrest and deport them. It is a fateful moment for the Zionist enterprise and for the entire Jewish people.

Can you forget past differences for the sake of the common goal and reach an understanding with your opponents?

Hold a serious and thorough discussion of the proposal. Consider the following subjects and questions.

1. Are you willing to establish a joint organization?
2. What concessions are you willing to make?
3. What concessions are you not willing to make?
4. What will you call this joint organization?
5. What, in your opinion, are the actions and operations that this organization should undertake?

Throughout the discussion, you may sit with representatives of the other underground movements in order to work through the problems and if need be to raise new ideas and proposals.

Appendix 5 -- Message Flashes

[require 3 versions for each]

#1

In view of the gravity of the situation, the other two clandestine organizations [replace with names as appropriate] invite one [or two] representatives to join them in their discussion of this proposal. Please come over immediately.

#2

We are at deadlock. Please send us a representative immediately to help us reach a solution. [Signed: Names of the other two organizations]

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