Rare British Mandate–Period Letter, Signed by Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Later the Second President of the State of Israel (1937)

$900.00

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“Rare  Mandate-Period Letter Signed by Yitzhak Ben‑Zvi – 1937″

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, who would later become the second President of the State of Israel, was in 1937 one of the most dedicated and active figures in the leadership of the Jewish community in Mandatory Palestine. Long before official ceremonies and the Presidential Residence, Ben-Zvi worked tirelessly behind the scenes, addressing the most urgent matter of the time: the fate of individual Jews struggling to survive and remain legally in the country under foreign rule.

The letter presented here is a rare and original document from the British Mandate period, signed by Ben-Zvi, and deals with an attempt to assist an individual in the legalization of his legal status in Palestine. Though modest in form, it is profound in historical and emotional significance.

The Vaad Leumi – The De Facto Leadership of the Yishuv

This letter was issued on the official letterhead of the Vaad Leumi (General Council of the Jewish Community of Palestine), the executive body of the Jewish Yishuv during the Mandate period. In the absence of Jewish sovereignty, the Vaad Leumi functioned as a government-in-the-making, overseeing education, healthcare, welfare, labor affairs, immigration assistance, and official relations with the British authorities.

For Jews in Palestine—and many beyond—it was the central address for solving urgent, often existential problems. Ben-Zvi was among its senior leaders, and this letter reflects his direct involvement not only in national policy, but also in personal, human cases.

A Story of Its Time

The year 1937 stands at the heart of one of the most difficult and tense periods in the history of the Yishuv:

• Severe British restrictions on Jewish immigration

• Rigid quota systems and bureaucratic enforcement

• The growth of illegal immigration (Aliyah Bet), often involving great danger

• Rising Arab unrest and violence

• Increasing distress among European Jewry, just years before the Holocaust

In this reality, any effort to secure legal residency for an individual required navigating a harsh and often unyielding colonial system. The letter captures the space where grand historical forces meet an individual human struggle.

At the same time, the Jewish community continued to build national identity and morale. Events such as the Maccabiah Games were not merely sporting competitions, but powerful political and cultural statements—affirmations of Jewish presence, resilience, and future sovereignty in the Land of Israel.

Ben-Zvi – A Leader of People, Not Only of Institutions

This letter reveals Ben-Zvi not as a distant historical figure, but as a public servant deeply engaged in the lives of individuals. It reflects a leadership philosophy grounded in responsibility, compassion, and the belief that every personal case was part of the broader national struggle—a philosophy that would later define his presidency.

Historical and Collectible Significance

This is a rare and unique collector’s item, combining:

• An original handwritten signature of Yitzhak Ben-Zvi

• Authentic content reflecting Mandate-era immigration struggles

• Direct documentation of Yishuv leadership activity

A museum-quality artifact of deep historical, emotional, and cultural value, highly sought after by collectors of Zionist, Mandate-period, and early Israeli material.

It appears that the applicant was likely among those who entered the country on a certificate issued for the Second Maccabiah Games, remained in Mandatory Palestine without official authorization, and later attempted to obtain legal residency permits retroactively.

Full English Translation of the Letter

The General Council (Vaad Leumi) of the Jewish Community of Palestine
Jerusalem

17 January 1937

To
Mr. Chaim Giladi
Workers’ Neighborhood
Beit HaKerem
Jerusalem

Dear Sir,

With reference to your letter of January 14, 1937, I wish to inform you that upon examination of the matter, it was found that we are unable to assume the authority to recommend the legalization of the individual’s status. Generally, we do not intervene in matters of this kind, although in this country such situations often result in the curtailment of rights.

From my own perspective, I have made an effort to secure even the slightest possibility. Only the Jewish Agency is authorized to deal with this issue; however, I do not hold great hope for success on the part of the Histadrut.

With respect,

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi