The Jewish Underground Before Israel: Haganah, Palmach, Irgun, and Lechi, in 10 Minutes

Everything Jewish - 10 Minutes at a Time · Sep 26, 2026 · 12m

Before the State of Israel declared independence in 1948, Jewish underground organizations were already fighting to defend Jewish communities, resist British rule, and secure a homeland in the face of mounting violence and political uncertainty. Groups such as the Haganah, Palmach, Irgun (Etzel), and Lehi (the Stern Gang) shared the goal of a Jewish state but often disagreed sharply on strategy, ranging from defensive operations to armed rebellion and acts the British labeled terrorism. In this episode, we'll explore how these underground movements emerged, what motivated their members, how…