#Israel commemorated the 100th anniversary of the death of Yosef Trumpeldor, a Zionist killed in a Shiite Arab attack on Tel Hai in the Galilee. YT was a Russian soldier who lost his arm in the Russo-Japanese war. Taken prisoner by the Japanese, he became a leader of the POWs. 
Trumpeldor 2/ Pic: in POW dress. Set up schools in the POW camp for illiterate Russian soldiers. Became leader of 1,700+ Russian-Jewish soldiers, arranging for Jewish newspaper, ritual items, matzot.
His Zionism grew in prison & formed Zionism group.
Returned to Russia as hero
His Zionism grew in prison & formed Zionism group.
Returned to Russia as hero
Trumpeldor 3/ led group of Zionist activists on Aliya in 1912. Moved to Degania working in "commune." When WWI broke out, the "Russian officer" was exiled to Egypt.
A film of Jews in Eretz Yisrael ~1913 showed agriculture in Galilee. Screen shot showed the one-armed farmer.
A film of Jews in Eretz Yisrael ~1913 showed agriculture in Galilee. Screen shot showed the one-armed farmer.
Trumpeldor 4/ lobbied in Egypt w Jabotinsky for the British to establish a Jewish fighting force. Zion Mule Corps was formed by Col John Peterson w Capt YT his deputy. ZMC landed in Gallipoli. YT was wounded & honored for heroism. He continued to press for Jewish fighting force.
Trumpledor 5/ tried organizing Jewish fighting force in Russia & organized Aliya. He returned to Eretz Yisrael in 1919, went north to protect Jewish communities stuck in British-French disagreement after Sykes-Picot pact.
Local Arabs rebelled & sought to kill French gendarmes.
Local Arabs rebelled & sought to kill French gendarmes.
Trumpledor 6/ Jewish villages tried to stay neutral, but Arabs searched for French even in Jewish homes. On March 1, 1920, the Arabs tried to disarm the Jews in Tel Hai & gunfight ensued. Jewish dead: 2 women & 6 men, incl YT were killed.
The "Roaring Lion" monument was erected.
The "Roaring Lion" monument was erected.
Trumpledor 6 Postscript.
YT purportedly said on deathbed "It's good to die for our Land?" Debated, but what's the diff?
Kiryat Shmoneh named for the 8 killed.
Hizbullah's Nasrallah claims #Israel stole Shiite villages. al-Nabi Yusha villagers attacked Tel Hai. Chased out in 1948.
YT purportedly said on deathbed "It's good to die for our Land?" Debated, but what's the diff?
Kiryat Shmoneh named for the 8 killed.
Hizbullah's Nasrallah claims #Israel stole Shiite villages. al-Nabi Yusha villagers attacked Tel Hai. Chased out in 1948.
