Paduca – Geula [Freedom]
"Geula" sailed from Burgas Port in Bulgaria on September 26th 1947, with 1,388 immigrants on board.
The "Geula" Haapala ship was prepared to depart for Israel from Bayonne port in Western France, under the responsibility of Gideon (Geda) Shochat. "Geula" had previously served the U.S. Coast Guard. The ship commander was Palyam member, Mordechai (Moka) Limon.
The 'Gidonim' were Menachem Keller and Binyamin Kalversh. An additional escort was Chaim Vinshelboim (Rimon.)
"Geula" sailed from Burgas Port in Bulgaria on September 26th 1947, with 1,388 immigrants on board. It left along with the "Jewish State" Haapala ship, which was supposed to absorb the "Geula" immigrants at sea, in order to prevent the confiscation of both ships and crews. The plan was not feasible since both ships were heavily crowded, not to mention the British destroyer that awaited them as they left the Dardanelles Straits, and followed them on their way to Israel.
No preparations for resistance were made on board the "Geula," since the ship commander thought its immigrants unsuitable for such a mission. On October 2nd, both ships approached the country's shores. 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' HQ ordered both ships to refrain from showing any active resistance, for fear of a harsh response from the British, and in lieu of the difficult security situation that prevailed in Israel.
The order reflected the change in policy among organizers of the Haapala resistance, who from then on conducted only passive, symbolic resistance. The "Jewish State" turned towards Tel-Aviv, while "Geula" headed towards Haifa, followed by four destroyers. Shortly thereafter, one of the destroyers butted against the ship. "Geula" stopped, and allowed the British takeover crew on board without showing any resistance, and was towed to Haifa port. The escorts intermingled with the immigrants, and after three days of waiting in the Haifa port, they were all taken to Dekalia detention camp in Cyprus.
The 'Gidonim' were Menachem Keller and Binyamin Kalversh. An additional escort was Chaim Vinshelboim (Rimon.)
"Geula" sailed from Burgas Port in Bulgaria on September 26th 1947, with 1,388 immigrants on board. It left along with the "Jewish State" Haapala ship, which was supposed to absorb the "Geula" immigrants at sea, in order to prevent the confiscation of both ships and crews. The plan was not feasible since both ships were heavily crowded, not to mention the British destroyer that awaited them as they left the Dardanelles Straits, and followed them on their way to Israel.
No preparations for resistance were made on board the "Geula," since the ship commander thought its immigrants unsuitable for such a mission. On October 2nd, both ships approached the country's shores. 'Hamossad for Aliyah Bet' HQ ordered both ships to refrain from showing any active resistance, for fear of a harsh response from the British, and in lieu of the difficult security situation that prevailed in Israel.
The order reflected the change in policy among organizers of the Haapala resistance, who from then on conducted only passive, symbolic resistance. The "Jewish State" turned towards Tel-Aviv, while "Geula" headed towards Haifa, followed by four destroyers. Shortly thereafter, one of the destroyers butted against the ship. "Geula" stopped, and allowed the British takeover crew on board without showing any resistance, and was towed to Haifa port. The escorts intermingled with the immigrants, and after three days of waiting in the Haifa port, they were all taken to Dekalia detention camp in Cyprus.