Bidspirit auction | “Besieged Safed Liberated” – Kol

“Besieged Safed Liberated” – Kol Tzfat newspaper – Issue marking the liberation of the city. May 12, 1948 - “The Zohar and Ar”i City of Safed Celebrates its liberation and victory” – Kol Tzfat – celebratory issue announcing the lifting of the Arab siege and the city’s liberation during the War of Independence. “Published by order of the Commander of the City of Safed on behalf of the Hebrew Defense Organization in Eretz Israel.” The issue’s title was printed in gold ink in honor of the liberation of Safed, which had been under Arab siege. Safed, May 12, 1948. At the top of the issue, the editorial reads: “The great day we longed for has arrived. Safed, the holy city, capital of the Galilee, has been liberated. Few stood against many—Safed’s fighters held their ground with supreme bravery against the enemy’s superior force. Courage, sacrifice, and boundless devotion brought about this great victory. A blue and white flag was raised over the Canaan Police fortress. The besieged city of Safed is free. The road into the heart of the country has been opened. The enemy has suffered a crushing defeat. His downfall turned into a panicked flight. Into our hands fell vast quantities of weapons and ammunition. The spoils are considerable. With restrained fury and silent pain, on this day of our joy, we remember all our precious fallen who gave their lives for the liberation of our city and did not live to see this day of triumph. The Jews of Safed and their defenders bow their heads in their memory. A heartfelt brotherly blessing from the liberated Safed is extended to its defenders and liberators, and to the entire Yishuv standing in battle across the land. In the liberation of our land and the establishment of the Hebrew state, we celebrate this victory day.” Further in the issue appear verses of joy and triumph: ”זה היום קוינו לו נגילה ונשמחה בו!”, ”ודבר אלוקינו יקום לעולם”, ”ורדפתם את אויביכם”, and more. The issue details how the entire city was captured by the Haganah forces. The Battle of Safed in the War of Independence was fought from April 16 to May 11, 1948, between the Jewish defense forces and the Arab Liberation Army. The battle ended in a Jewish victory, after which the Arab population of Safed left the city. The following day, the issue presented here was published, proclaiming the Jewish victory. The newspaper Kol Tzfat was established by order of the city’s commander, Meir Meivar, out of concern over the possibility of a mass Jewish exodus from Safed during the war. Its writers were stationed at the Haganah headquarters, and between January and May 1948, eleven issues were printed containing militant messages for the residents of Safed. These issues played a significant role in reducing fear among the Jewish population and distributing vital information during the intense battles. [1] leaf. Minor fold marks. Good condition.