The writings say “This is the true nature of Mapay! The financiale comptroller was thrown away and now thiefs can still easily”. Herut was the major right-wing nationalist political party in Israel from 1948 until its formal merger into Likud in 1988. It was an adherent of Revisionist Zionism and was initially known in part for its militia actions; it became more moderate from the 1950s.

Herut was founded by Menachem Begin on 15 June 1948 as a successor to the Revisionist Irgun, a militant paramilitary group in Mandate Palestine. The new party was a challenge to the Hatzohar party established by Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Herut also established an eponymous newspaper, with many of its founding journalists defecting from Hatzohar’s HaMashkif. Herut’s political expectations were high as the first election approached in 1949. It took credit for driving the British government out and as a young movement, reflecting the esprit of the nation, it perceived its image as being more attractive than the old establishment. They hoped to win 25 seats, which would place them second and make them leader of the opposition, with potential for future gain of government power. This analysis was shared by other parties.