Pre-IDF Brigades: Haganah, Irgun and Lechi

Before the groups joined forces to become the IDF in 1948, they had major ideological differences. They were all set on the Zionist ideal of creating a Jewish state but disagreed about how to achieve this goal. Between Ben-Gurion’s diplomatic approach, Begin’s pro-active one, and the Stern Gang’s radicalism, tensions ran high in the ’40s. In this episode, students will consider: What were the key differences between the groups, and how did they put these differences aside to work together? Which of these groups do you identify with most and why?