Bidspirit auction | A declaration on behalf of

A declaration on behalf of the Lehi organization in response to the proposal for a ”ceasefire” raised at the United Nations. May 16, 1947 - A declaration on behalf of the Lehi organization following the special session held at the United Nations on the future of Eretz Israel and a temporary ceasefire. ”BaMachteret, ” 26 Iyar 5707 – May 16, 1947. In April 1947, after realizing that it was unable to gain control over the activities of the Hebrew underground organizations in Eretz Israel and the pressure of illegal immigration, the British government transferred the question of Eretz Israel to the United Nations. At the UN session, it was decided to establish the UNSCOP committee (United Nations Special Committee on Palestine). As part of the discussions ahead of the committee’s arrival, a call arose מצד the UN Secretariat and international actors to declare a ”ceasefire” between the underground organizations and the British authorities, in order to allow the committee to investigate the situation in a calm atmosphere. The proclamation before us constitutes an official response of Lehi to this call. The organization expresses deep suspicion toward British intentions here. ”If the occupation authorities evade responding to the UN appeal and continue to act with cruel methods of repression, we will be compelled to respond to these provocations in the most severe manner.” The Lehi organization declares that it is not prepared to lay down its arms if Britain continues its policy against the Jewish Yishuv. It argues that the British statements at the UN session are a ”tactic” intended to gain time and perpetuate the occupation. In their words, the members of Lehi condition the observance of a ceasefire on the British Mandate authorities likewise ceasing their hostile actions against the Jewish Yishuv in Eretz Israel - the organization’s members demanded a halt to the deportation of illegal immigrants, the cessation of the activities of the British military ”courts” in Eretz Israel, the end of the deportation of underground fighters beyond the borders of the country, the removal of restrictions on freedom of movement, the lifting of the siege in the streets, and more. The proclamation was written on 26 Iyar 5707 (May 1947). This is a decisive moment in which the underground organizations (Irgun and Lehi) refused to accept the authority of the national institutions (the Jewish Agency), which tended to cooperate with the UN committee through diplomatic means. Lehi makes clear here that ”the responsibility for the situation… shall rest solely upon the heads of the enemy authorities, ” thereby granting legitimacy to the continuation of militant actions (such as the Acre Prison break, which took place that very month). A classic example of Lehi’s use of psychological and diplomatic warfare vis-à-vis the international community, while presenting the British as the violent and illegitimate party in the conflict. [1] Leaf. 51x24 cm. Fold mark. Very good condition.