Starting our Independence Tiyul, our class was given the opportunity to visit the Israeli tank museum 'Latrun'. Here, we learned about the great Independence war, visited the memorial wall, and got a chance to talk with a real Israeli Tank corps Alumni - Our very own madricha Neta! We also then travelled to the Ayalon Institute, where we learned about secret underground bullet factory run by Israeli youth in the war effort. Lastly, we ended the Tiyul with a fun scavenger hunt in Tel Aviv where we learned more about the skills and challenges involved in creating start-up companies today.
Originally built in 1940, the fortress of Latrun served initially as a British police station in the time of the British Mandate. The site had a great location; as it was a strong fortress and was positioned so that it had easy access to goods coming in and out of Jerusalem. The fortress was originally taken by the Palmach in 1948, but they failed to hold the fortress for more than 3 days due to Jordanian attacks; this led the site to fall into Jordanian hands from 1948-1967. In 1947, UNISCOP (The United Nations Special Committee on Palestine) is tasked with coming to Palestine to monitor it. At the same time, the British calls on the UN for help in what to do with Palestine, as the situation (both of riots and growing racism against two cultural majority groups), was growing to an extent that was becoming too large for Great Britain to handle. This sets the first UN partition plan in motion, as on the 29th of November in 1947 the UN proposes to split the land of Palestine up between the Arabs and Jews, with 72% of the UN council voting supportive of the idea. Although the land that happened to fall into Jewish hands as part of the divisions may not have been the most favorable, David Ben Gurion urges the Jewish people to vote for the idea. He does this, as he knows the Arabs will vote against it anyway - and even though the UN's idea wouldn't leave a satisfying conclusion - he wants international public opinion to see the Jewish people as positive and open to new ideas and efforts. The very next day, on the 30th of November, the start of the Independence war breaks out. Phase 1 of the war begins with fighting units having been developed, but the war itself is between local Arabs and Jews living in Palestine. Phase 2 begins on the 2nd of April 1948-May 14th 1948. Here, we see the Jewish people taking an offensive position, and in turn winning many more battles. Despite oppositional urges from the American President at the time, this 'turn of the tide' that influences more hopeful and victorious sentiments amongst the Jewish people leads to David Ben Gurion to announce a very important historical statement. On May 14th 1948, as the British troops leave the territory at midnight, David Ben Gurion declares an official Jewish state of Israel. The next and final phase of the war begins the very next day and goes until July of 1949. Arab countries surrounding Israel see a downhill in Jordanian forces, and the combining Arab powers of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon simultaneously attack. This leads to the Battle of Jerusalem and Yad Mordechai. Both were battles that ended in Jewish victory, however they also make us understand the strength in Jewish motivation; this being to not only survive the war, but to win for the Jewish peoples cultural and historical rights to a true home. It was around this time that Evan shared with us the story of David "Mickey" Marcus, an American Jewish military man. Mickey felt a strong connection to the rights of Jewish people after serving in the American army in WWII. Before the Independence war began, David Ben Gurion heard about Mickey - and asked for his help in finding an american military official to aid Israel's plight. Mickey decided he was the only man for the job, and came to Israel to eventually become the first general in the Israeli army. Although his death was a disappointing accident, Mickey Marcus managed to have so many positive influences on the war; including inspiring the Jewish effort and helping to build the 'Burma Road' to enter and supply Jerusalem with goods secretly through the mountains. In the end, the Independence war was a huge success for the Jewish people. However, the war itself also remains an event of remembrance, as we mourn and respect the sacrifice of those 6,000 Jews who lost their lives fighting.
After discussing the Independence war, our class got a chance to visit Memorial wall, where we learned that our madricha Lali's uncle, יןסף עזריה, served and died in one of Israel's wars. Neta also talked with us about her experience working in the Tanks corps, as someone who stayed just inside the border and trained many individuals to use the simulations. She also explained the different jobs inside the tank, and a little about the general tank structure and functions. We then ended our visit to Latrun with an opportunity to play and take pictures amongst the many tanks on display!
After leaving Latrun, we bussed to the Ayalon Institute. Before beginning our tour, Ariella shared a story with us about the Altalena. Here we witnessed a moment in our history that evokes nothing but pain in seeing a division that caused violence against one another, at a time when Israel needed to come together. In summary; Despite DBG's efforts to assimiliate or get rid of the more radical group Etzel, some Etzel fighters were still fighting in Jerusalem. Although they weren't 'with' the IDF, (as they illegally didn't follow DBG's orders), they possessed the same goals of winning and owning a Jewish state. The leader of the Etzel group had organized a boat called Altalena coming from France to Israel, which was carrying many helpful war goods including new trained Etzel fighters and weaponry. When DBG heard about the Altalena, he demanded the boat be turned over to IDF custody to help the overall war effort, an the Etzel group be disbanded once and for all. However, the Etzel leader disagreed - as he believed in Etzel's methods, and argued that since it was Etzel who had funded and bought all the weaponry they were in ownership of it. After continuous conflict on both sides, the story ends with DBG issuing an ultimatum that was not met in time; and the Altalena - including a few Etzel fighters who had not abandoned ship, and all the weaponry - was destroyed. Although the incident happened many years ago; the story still encourages discussion in modern day regarding the importance of communication, and strength in unity.
Afterwards, we were given a tour of the Ayalon institute. In 1946, the Ayalon institute, the 34th plant set up by the "TAAS", began underground operation in bullet production. The program was run by selected Israeli youth, who were tasked with keeping the operation a secret from family and other members of the Kibbutz. During our tour, we got to walk through the underground factory, and got to hear some of the stories of ways the workers kept the project a secret.
After Ayalon, we went to Tel Aviv where we briefly visited Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion made the announcement of the state of Israel. Afterwards, we were split into groups to complete scavenger hunts using tablets. We chose different tasks and completed different challenges!
Overall, it was a fun and busy tiyul where we learned more about the motivation behind Israel's Independence and how it was implemented.
Finally, what do you think about the Jewish people's continuous victories in wars throughout history, do you think there is a difference in the motivation of the Jewish people? Also, if you were in the position and had been selected, would you go to work for the Ayalon Institute - even though you knew nothing regarding the operation asides from that it would be greatly dangerous but enormously aid Israel's war effort?
