Fenice – Eliyahu Golomb
"Eliyahu Golomb" sailed to Israel with the "Dov Hoz" on May 8th 1946, with 339 immigrants on board.
The "Eliyahu Golomb" Haapala ship (named after the Commander of the Hagana organization who died in June 1945) was prepared for its departure to Israel in La Spezia port, Italy, by members of 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet'. The captain of the ship was Anseldo (an Italian.) The ship commander was Palyam member Peter Hoffman.
"Eliyahu Golomb" was scheduled to sail on its first mission in April 1946, together with the "Dov Hoz" Haapala ship. However, the British authorities discovered the preparations and took La Spezia port under siege to prevent its departure. Shalhevet Frayer and Yisrael Liebertovsky, who organized the immigrant convoy, were arrested. In response to the British actions, the immigrants declared a hunger strike that lasted three days and won great worldwide recognition in the media. The strike was led by Yehuda Arazi, organizer of 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' activities in Italy at that time. Following the intervention of political parties in Italy and Britain, the British government finally enabled the immigrants to travel to Israel, deducting their numbers from the monthly quota of certificates (immigration papers.)
"Eliyahu Golomb" sailed to Israel with the "Dov Hoz" on May 8th 1946, with 339 immigrants on board. Before the overt departure, an impressive ceremony took place at the port, which marked the immigrants' triumph in the willful struggle during the "La Spezia" affair.
"Eliyahu Golomb" reached Haifa port on May 13th, followed by two British destroyers. As promised, the immigrants were freely admitted into the country.
The ship returned to Italy on May 29th. On board were Palyam members Peter Hoffman and Eliezer Tal, who escorted "Eliyahu Golomb" and "Dov Hoz" to Israel, as well as three 'Gidonim,' six seamen and two men from "Habricha" organization, to reinforce the Haapala endeavor.
"Eliyahu Golomb" was scheduled to sail on its first mission in April 1946, together with the "Dov Hoz" Haapala ship. However, the British authorities discovered the preparations and took La Spezia port under siege to prevent its departure. Shalhevet Frayer and Yisrael Liebertovsky, who organized the immigrant convoy, were arrested. In response to the British actions, the immigrants declared a hunger strike that lasted three days and won great worldwide recognition in the media. The strike was led by Yehuda Arazi, organizer of 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' activities in Italy at that time. Following the intervention of political parties in Italy and Britain, the British government finally enabled the immigrants to travel to Israel, deducting their numbers from the monthly quota of certificates (immigration papers.)
"Eliyahu Golomb" sailed to Israel with the "Dov Hoz" on May 8th 1946, with 339 immigrants on board. Before the overt departure, an impressive ceremony took place at the port, which marked the immigrants' triumph in the willful struggle during the "La Spezia" affair.
"Eliyahu Golomb" reached Haifa port on May 13th, followed by two British destroyers. As promised, the immigrants were freely admitted into the country.
The ship returned to Italy on May 29th. On board were Palyam members Peter Hoffman and Eliezer Tal, who escorted "Eliyahu Golomb" and "Dov Hoz" to Israel, as well as three 'Gidonim,' six seamen and two men from "Habricha" organization, to reinforce the Haapala endeavor.