Ben-Gurion’s Top Secret Signed Letter 1951: Israeli-Syrian Border Conflict Written After the Independence War. The Clam of Israel’s Sovereignty over Demilitarized Syrian Border

In 1951, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion wrote a classified letter that played a crucial role in establishing Israeli control and ownership over the demilitarized area on the Syrian border. This letter was a significant milestone in Israel’s historical claim to the region.

Background:

After the 1948 war, territories that were meant for the “Jewish state” according to the UN partition plan were held by the Syrian army. However, in 1949, the armistice agreements required the Syrian army to withdraw from these areas, designating them as “demilitarized zones.” Despite this, Israel maintained its claim of sovereignty over these regions, as outlined in the partition plan.

Tensions Escalate:

In 1951, tensions escalated when Syrian forces attacked Israeli workers during the Lake HaHula drying project. This incident brought the disputes over the demilitarized areas to the forefront.

Ben-Gurion Takes a Stand:

In response to the escalating dispute and General Riley’s statement denying sovereign rights to either side, Prime Minister Ben-Gurion wrote a letter on March 13, 1951. This letter was addressed to ministers, government members, and high IDF officials, and it made it clear that Israel intended to apply its laws to the demilitarized areas. It also delineated the responsible authority for the region. As a result, on March 30, the Israeli government took action and decided to realize its sovereignty over these regions.

This classified letter remains a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, shaping the nation’s territorial policy and strengthening its claim over the demilitarized Syrian border.

The post Ben-Gurion’s Top Secret Signed Letter 1951: Israeli-Syrian Border Conflict Written After the Independence War. first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

The Altalena, a ship whose fate nearly incited a civil war in the newly-established State of Israel. Immediately after Israel attained statehood, Prime Minister David Ben Gurion established a national army into which several independent Jewish defense forces, small armies with their own political philosophies, were supposed to unite.

However, in this case, unity was late to come.

On June 20, 1948, the Altalena arrived in Israel carrying 930 World War II refugees and a stockpile of ammunition amassed by the Irgun (one of the independent defense forces) in direct violation of Ben Gurion’s new military chain of command. In the midst of the ship’s landing and a cease-fire in the War of Independence, Ben Gurion gave the order to shell the ship, forcing Jews to fire on Jews and almost sparking a civil war.

The controversy surrounding the Altalena affair continues to reverberate in current Israeli politics s until today and the remains of the ship have not yet been found.

The post The Etzel Surrender Agreement – The Altalena Affair Extremely Rare Document first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

In the postcard, Jabotinsky reveals his attempts to obtain a visa to Palestine while traveling in Tyrol, Austria. This was no easy feat, as Jewish immigrants faced strict restrictions on entry to Israel imposed by the British Mandate regime. According to the regulations of the first White Book from 1920, the British limited immigration to Israel based on the country’s “economic absorption capacity,” with quotas primarily granted to those with financial means, relatives in Israel, students, and people with certain professions.  This left many Jews unable to immigrate to Israel, even during the great immigrations of the fourth and fifth waves.

Jabotinsky’s urgency and determination to enter the country are evident in his plans to visit Jerusalem between October 1 and 10, despite the difficult circumstances. The postcard was written just months after Zabotinsky was elected to be the Zionist  Executive, a limited committee of the World Zionist Organization, at the 12th Zionist Congress in August of 1921.

Jabotinsky was a Zionist leader and one of the most influential Jewish activists of the 20th century. He was a key figure in the creation of the Jewish Legion during World War I, which played a pivotal role in the establishment of the State of Israel. He was also a prolific writer and orator, advocating for Jewish rights and independence at every turn.

This postcard is a remarkable piece of history documenting the struggles and determination of one of the most influential figures in the Jewish national movement.

The post Incredibly Rare Postcard by Ze’ev Jabotinsky 1921 Insight into His Journey towards Creating Jewish State first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

In 1919, after six years in France and later with World War I in a children’s refugee home in Odessa, she returned to Palestine On the famous “Ruslan” ship and settled at Kevuzat Deganyah as an agronomist until she was forced to leave when diagnosed with tuberculosis.

“You’re sick and we’re healthy, That’s why you should leave” she was told by one of her friends in Deganyah. Her last years were spent in loneliness and agony. Many of Rachel’s poems were written after she was already ill, and they express the warm feeling she felt for the landscapes of the Kinneret and the work of the land, and her longing for the members of the group.

One of them was Ben Zion Israeli, a pioneer from Rehovot and Deganyah, who also was Rahel’s lover at the time and left her due to her illness. Ben Zion was married to Haya Israeli (Selzer) who was Rahel’s friend.

In 1925 Rahel wrote a letter to Ben Zion expressing her distress, her loneliness, and her longing for the Sea of ​​Galilee and him. She asks him to come to visit her in the hospital so she could personally give him a poem she wrote for him. In the estate of Haya Israeli is the love poem attached to Rachel’s letter.

The letter before us expresses the tension between the two companies following the affair in the illness shadow as well as Rahel’s state of mind during these years. We find a poetic letter painted with tenderness and melody, in which Rahel insists that she does not and has never had any “spirit of revenge” towards Haya and that now her heart is at peace about their relationship.

She is reminded of the “Kinneret Rahel, a laughing, dancing and frivolous girl” and is surprised to discover that in Haya’s eyes, she was wise and great. Rachel writes about “the woman poet”.  The whispers in which a woman’s inner world is expressed, that is her sole authority, in which a man has no part.

The letter ends with a greeting to Ben- Zion Israeli “who was my friend and now is estranged from me” and a greeting to the Kinneret that she loved so much.

The post Rahel The Poetess Secret Romance -Introducing The Lost Letter of Rachel – Signed 1925 first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

_Unit 101_ Collection

The collection showcases 60 original photographs and paper artifacts from “Unit 101” 1953-1954.

The photographs document various reprisals conducted by IDF soldiers, including “Operation Shoshana” in Kivia (October 1953), “Operation Samaria” in Kalkilia (October 1956), “Operation Tzuk Sela” in Khirbet Shona (May 1965), “Operation Magrash” in Kfar A-Samoa in Mount Hebron (November 1966), and more. They depict soldiers en route to, during, or returning from these operations. The images feature the destruction of Kibiya and Samua villages, aerial shots of the aftermath, and a group photo with Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan alongside Unit 101 soldiers. Most are annotated on the back, some have attached information sheets (in English), Hebrew titles, and military censorship stamps. Various photographers and agencies, such as Avraham Vared, Newsphot Ltd., “Sela,” Shmuel Shachem, and Paul Goldman, contributed. Five printed maps show operation locations and IDF movements.

Unit 101 was established in August 1953 under the leadership of its commander, Ariel Sharon. Comprising 50 young men chosen for their integrity, humility, physical prowess, bravery, patriotism, and willingness to make sacrifices, Unit 101 redefined combat standards during its brief existence.

Just five months after its formation, Unit 101 was disbanded and integrated into the 890 Paratrooper Battalion at the Tel Nof base in January 1954. Despite its short tenure, the unit left an indelible mark on the IDF, instilling values of commitment, camaraderie, courage, and flawless execution of tasks. Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan praised Unit 101 as a model for other IDF units, recognizing its tangible impact on practical warfare.

The post Unit 101 Original Photography COLLECTION first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

“And for the new year… I hereby express my blessing to him and to all who belong to him, a good writing and signature blessing for a good and sweet year physically and spiritually.”

One of the most influential and fascinating figures in Jewish life of the 20th century, The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s influence extended far beyond the boundaries of Chabad. His path and spiritual teachings remain a guiding torch, illuminating our journey.

Printed on a typewriter on the Rebbe’s official letterhead, and signed with Yad Kadesh’s signature.

Sent to Rabbi Meir Kharlov in Ramat Gan:

The post “Shena Tova” Letter From The Lubavitcher Rebbe – Elul 1957 Brooklyn, New York, “Days of Forgiveness” first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

The post Hand Signed Ze’ev Jabotinsky Original Rare Type Letter 11 November 1929 and Postcard first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

The Collection Items:

Items 1-9: Original photographs from Israel and Germany

Item 10: Exodus 1947: Early booklet by Daphne Trevor, featuring pictures, published by Palestine and the Middle East in 1947, in English.

Item 11: “Manic Alarm for Illegal Immigrants!”

This message was broadcast by the Exodus during its attack by the British Navy. It was printed as a special edition of “The Observer” newspaper on the day of the event July 18, 1947

Items 13-15: Three original certificates were issued in the Pappendorf displaced persons camp to the exodus refugees after forcefully returning to Germany. Two of these certificates are complete with a passport photo, while one is blank.  These certificates were specifically issued to prevent disperse during transit between camps. From the fear of potential surveillance by the British authorities, the certificates intentionally omitted any identifying information, with the exception of the passport photo.

Item 16: Issue 6-7 of Palestine and Middle East monthly, featuring the Exodus on the cover (June-July 1947), in English.

The post “EXODUS” COLLECTION first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

“It is very thoughtful for you to call me to wish me a Happy Birthday. Thank you for your kind thoughts. Yoram Sheffi Sheftel is the young lawyer who raised a petition in 1971 of law students, Law teacher,s and Law Professors on my behalf.

He asked my permission to intercede with Burg (Yosef Burg then the Israeli Minister of Internal Affairs) to permit me to visit Israel, permission is granted if it isn’t recalled and health permits I intend to visit Israel at the end of October.

You made mention of publicity pertaining to me, I would appreciate to hear something more definite about my visa. I would hate to find myself travelling to Israel and then not being permitted to enter. It was good to hear that you are well and your family are well.

What was become of that fellow who was to get me permission to come to Israel. He was from Australia.

If you cell never charges. all the best to all of you.

Shalom

Meyer”

This letter from Lansky to Yosef Sheiner, a respected figure in the Israeli Mossad and his close friend, is steeped in fascinating history. It offers a rare, personal glimpse into Lansky’s attempts to visit Israel, his interactions with Yoram Sheftel, and his profound, lasting connection to the Israeli state. This letter serves as a window into the complex identity and hidden motives of the most famous Jewish gangster of all time. To this day he continues to resonate in popular culture, evident in the numerous fictional characters inspired by him.

The post Meyer Lansky “Mob’s Accountant”, Original signed letter sent to his Israeli friend, first appeared on VINTAGE ISRAELI POSTERS.

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