Posters of the Week: Extremely Special Jewish Brigade Recruitment Posters 1943

What did the British Mandate and the Western world understand during WWII that is sadly forgotten today?

Approximately 40,000 Jews from Eretz Israel enlisted in the British Army during the war. Despite the Jewish community’s resistance struggles against the restrictive Mandate White Paper, which limited Jewish immigration and land acquisition. They saw themselves and their enlistment as part of the resistance against Nazi Germany. David Ben-Gurion famously stated, “We must assist the British in the war as if there was no White Paper, and we must oppose the White Paper as if there was no war.” 

In 1944\43, the Jewish Brigade was established within the British Army, symbolizing national recognition of Jewish efforts and their willingness to volunteer. Upon their return, the Brigade members brought back extensive military experience, laying the groundwork for the IDF and contributing to its success in the War of Independence.

What makes these posters special?

Most Jewish Brigade posters were made by the Jewish Yishuv or the Jewish Agency and featured Hebrew texts and styles. Uniquely these two posters were printed and designed by the British Mandate in Eretz Israel, with a distinctly British style, the British Mandate symbol at the top, and marked “Printed in Palestine” at the bottom. The posters reflect the Mandate’s understanding that the Jewish community was their only reliable ally in the Middle East, given the pro-German sentiments among Arab nationalists.

Israel has always been the only reliable ally of the Western world in the Middle East, a fact that sadly seems to be lacking in today’s climate.

Jewish Brigade Posters