Foto:HOLOCAUST ENCYCLOPEDIA
In July 1947, the shocking story of the ship “Exodus-1947” (Exodus 1947), which became a symbol of the struggle of the Jewish people for the right to life and repatriation to the Land of Israel, spread to the world media. Originally known as the President Warfield, this ship was instrumental in ending the British Mandate of Palestine and changed the course of history.
The first flight “Exodus-1947”
Originally designed for 400 passengers, the President Warfield was rebuilt after World War II to carry more than 4,000 people. At the end of 1946, it was acquired by the Mossad al-Aliya Bet organization for Operation Briha, aimed at the illegal repatriation of Jewish refugees from Europe. In the summer of 1947, transported from the displaced persons camps in Germany to France, 4,554 Jews, including 655 children, set out on this ship for the Land of Israel.
Foto: HOLOCAUST ENCYCLOPEDIA
Conflict with British troops
Immediately after leaving French waters, the ship was renamed “Exodus-1947”. British intelligence, having learned about the crossing, sent eight warships to escort the “Exodus”. British troops attacked the ship 40 km from the coast of Israel. The passengers resisted, but were forced to surrender after suffering losses: three dead and 217 wounded.
The fight for the rights of refugees
After the violent seizure, the passengers were forcibly transferred to three transport ships and sent to France. The Jews refused to go ashore, insisting on disembarking only in Israel. Three weeks later, the British announced that they would be returned to Germany if they did not agree to the landing. On August 22, the ships left for Hamburg, where a violent landing took place.
Influence on the world community
The brutal actions of the British attracted the attention of the world media and caused public outrage. Publications in the American magazine “Life”, in particular, photos of the forced landing, caused a wave of protests, including in Great Britain itself. This became an important factor that forced Britain to abandon the mandate for Palestine.
Literary heritage
The story “Exodus-1947” inspired Leon Juris to create the novel “Exodus”, which became a symbol of the struggle of Jews for the right to return to Israel. In 1973, the Russian translation of the novel was smuggled to the USSR, where it was extremely popular among Jews, evoking national feelings and a desire for repatriation.
The story of “Exodus-1947” is not only a story about one passenger ship, but also about strength of spirit, courage and struggle for human rights. It influenced global political decisions and left a deep mark in world history and literature. This story continues to inspire today, reminding us of the importance of human dignity and justice.
Source : il4u.org.il
