World Machal - Press Release

Overseas volunteers in Israel's War of Independence

WORLD MACHAL is proud to announce the publication in ENGLISH of a booklet which brings to light the inspiring story of the Overseas Volunteers known as MACHAL. Approximately 3,500 men and women, Jews as well as non-Jews came in 1948 from 43 foreign countries to fight for the fledgling state of Israel during its struggle for survival and independence. This booklet adds a proud and authentic voice to the history of that pivotal period- the pinnacle of 2,000 years of Jewish history.

It is based on the recently published Hebrew version, produced by the ministry of education information center in collaboration with the world Machal committee in Israel. For the first time ever this booklet enables Israeli youth to learn at first hand the little known story of Machal.

Now, English speakers worldwide will get to know the heroic exploits of the overseas volunteers in aliya Bet, the Hagana, the Palmach, the clandestine recruitment activities abroad, integration of Machalniks into Israel Defense Forces the invalueable help of Machal in shaping the early Air force, Navy, Armored Corps, Paratroopers, Infantry, Medical Corp, etc., as well as the significant contribution of Machal to the war effort and its victorious conclusions. At the dedication of the Machal momentum, in Sha'ar Hagai Forest in memory of the 119 Machalniks who lost their lives the late Prime minister Yitzhak Rabin put it this way: "They came to us when we needed them most..."

The Attractive 44-page English booklet in color, includes photographs, a bibliography of books written by and about Machal a list of Films, Videos and Machal web sites.

English booklet available as follows:

USA: AVI (American Veterans of Israel), 136 East 39th Street, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
Tel: 212-725-1211. Fax: 212-684-6327 (Attention AVI).

UK: Mr. Stanley Medicks, 6 Broadlands Close, Highgate Village, London N6, 4AF, England.
Tel/Fax: +44-208-348-8695

Israel: Joe Woolf, Moshav Ilanya, Lower Galilee, 15255, Israel.
Tel/Fax: +972-4-6767678

Selected Excerts from the Machal Booklet

Who were Machal?

During Israel's War of Independence some 3,500 volunteers, men and women, Jews and non-Jews, from 43 foreign countries rallied to the defense of the Yishuv and the nascent Jewish state. Most of these overseas volunteers arrived during the second period of the war, after the British Mandate had ended. However, a considerable number enlisted in the Haganah, the Palmach and other underground forces, and were active in the struggle against the British even before the State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948.

The IDF General Staff's Manpower Branch defined Machal as: those who came to Israel to enlist in the IDF to help establish the state during the period of war, with the intention of returning to their lands of origin at the end of the war.

This definition, which had been determined while the fighting was in progress, was not all-inclusive and did not take into consideration the volunteers' lands of origin and other factors. When the fighting ended, and there were complaints from volunteers about not having been given due recognition and appreciation, the definition was broadened to emphasize the unique nature and special circumstances of the volunteer from abroad.

Over the years, a variety of definitions were formulated by the IDF Manpower Branch and by non-military groups as well. Today, the accepted definition of Machal is as follows: all those who left their permanent homes overseas anywhere in the world and enlisted voluntarily in the defense of the Yishuv or of the fledgling Jewish state, and intended or were free to return to their lands of origin on completion of their service.

This definition includes those who manned the Aliyah Bet ships; students who arrived after World War II to study at the Hebrew University or the Technion, and joined the defense forces on the spot; as well as those who came at the specific request of the Yishuv's institutions or of the IDF.

What Motivated them?

There are as many personal stories about overseas volunteers, and as many factors that motivated them, as the number of countries from which they came. Primarily, they were motivated by Jewish solidarity and concern for the security of the small Yishuv in its struggle for survival. Most had been soldiers in the armies of their countries of origin during World War II and felt the need to offer their military experience, skills and technical knowhow. Some were members of Zionist youth movements. They came with a sense of mission, with feelings of pride and privilege, knowing they were helping to create a state and defend a Jewish homeland.

Three Canadian Machalniks awaiting transportation to Israel at Grand Arenas displaced persons camp in 1948. Left to right: Mel Silver, Len Fein and Sidney Leisure, who was killed in action in September 1948.

Some, including non-Jews, were moved by the plight of the Jewish people. They had witnessed the calamity of the Holocaust and felt the urge to come to the aid of the beleaguered Yishuv. For some, their participation in the Yishuv's struggle was an expression of their anger at the British Empire and of anti-imperialism in general. Others believed that an independent and strong State of Israel was essential for the Western countries' need to maintain a presence to protect their interests in this important strategic region. And there were some who were motivated by a sense of adventure.