Bidspirit auction | The Face of the Mandate

The Face of the Mandate from Beginning to End – Yediot Ma’ariv commemorative issue marking the end of the British Mandate in the Land of Israel - “The Face of the Mandate from Beginning to End” – special issue of Yediot Ma’ariv published on May 15, 1948, the day after the Declaration of Independence, marking the end of the British Mandate and the beginning of a new era with the establishment of the State of Israel. Written in a critical tone, the issue reflects the sense of relief and joy felt in the Jewish Yishuv—not only over the founding of the state, but also over the departure of the British: “We kept our word… they broke theirs… and were shamefully expelled.” The issue reviews major events in the history of the British Mandate in the Land of Israel, beginning with its early days—the ceremonial entrance of Allenby, the appointment of High Commissioner Herbert Samuel, Lord Balfour alongside Dizengoff—and continues with a critical contrast: On the one hand, “We kept our word…” — with photographs documenting the cooperation and goodwill of the Jewish Yishuv, such as: “We named our streets after their greats”, Jewish soldiers serving in the British army, and more. On the other hand, “They broke theirs…” — the White Paper, the raid on the Jewish Agency building, the Patria in flames, the youth of Israel pressed against the wall, and more. The issue concludes with: “And were shamefully expelled” — “Slowly they leave, and it is not at all easy to rid ourselves of them completely…”. At the center of the issue are maps of the Land of Israel based on various partition plans proposed by the British, and a detailed timeline of the British Mandate’s history in the country. [4] pp., 47 cm. Fold marks. Good condition.