Bidspirit auction | War of Independence – Postcard

War of Independence – Postcard to a Jewish Prisoner of War at Gush Etzion via the Red Cross, 24 June 1948 - Postcard sent from Tel Aviv to Moshe Jakobovits, a Jewish prisoner held by the Arab Legion at Gush Etzion following the fall of the Etzion Bloc in May 1948. The correspondence was transmitted through the Red Cross, which served as an intermediary for communication between prisoners and their families. The card was sent by Dr. M. Jakobovits, address: 24 Yavne Street, Tel Aviv. Addressed to: Moshe Jakobovits – Gush Etzion – Camp Arab Legion – c/o Red Cross. The postcard bears an Israeli censor marking “Me'et Abba A” as well as an additional Transjordanian censor marking. The short message, written in English—likely to pass censorship—opens with: “Dear Freda! Your letter received…” and ends with “Keep your health, ” mentioning several family members and reporting that they are well. Historical background: On 12 May 1948 the Etzion Bloc was attacked, and on 13 May the defenders surrendered after heavy fighting. Many were killed after the surrender, and the survivors—about 359 men—were taken prisoner by the Arab Legion. Mail contact between prisoners and their families was maintained through the Red Cross until the Israel–Jordan prisoner exchange completed in April 1949. A rare War of Independence postal item documenting communication with a Jewish POW held by the Arab Legion at Gush Etzion shortly after the fall of the bloc. Condition: Very good; minor age and handling marks consistent with a wartime postal item. Items from the collections of Jacob Yablok - VirtualJewishmuseum.com. The items are placed in a quality proactive nylon sleeve and can be easily and safely taken out from the display page. Displayed on a thin cardboard sheet.