Dismantling of the Palmach
The Palmach was founded as a special military force by order of the headquarters of the Haganah in May 1941,
had by the War of Independence grown into 3 combat brigades. The headquarters and brigades were gradually dismantled, at the command of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, David Ben Gurion, during the War of Independence and its conclusion (1948-1949).
had by the War of Independence grown into 3 combat brigades. The headquarters and brigades were gradually dismantled, at the command of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, David Ben Gurion, during the War of Independence and its conclusion (1948-1949).
The Palmach was founded as a special military force by order of the headquarters of the Haganah in May 1941, had by the War of Independence grown into 3 combat brigades. The headquarters and brigades were gradually dismantled, at the command of Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, David Ben Gurion, during the War of Independence and its conclusion (1948-1949).
The decision to dismantle the Palmach stirred strong objections among its members, commanders and the “political- social rear”, meaning, the Kibbutz movements identified with Mapam (United Labor party). The Minister of Defense’s declared motives were based on his ambition for statehood and his declared approach to cancel organizational frameworks existing prior to the founding of the state.
In his opinion, the justification for any unique organizational framework was invalidated by the foundation of the IDF. A high quality unit such as the Palmach would best contribute its strength by assimilating itself into IDF.
Moreover, he treated any insubordination by commanders and troops in the Palmach severely. Opponents of Ben Gurion maintained that his genuine motives were narrow political considerations and based on his intention to weaken Mapam, the rival party, in which many of the Palmach's commanders were members. In their opinion, the quality of the Palmach's fighters and their fighting spirit justified its continued existence.
The Haganah's Striking Force companies had continued their operations- despite facing difficult crises - since 1941 until the end of the War of Independence.
The force had undergone numerous changes and accomplished many missions, even ones that did not correspond to its original designations.
David Ben Gurion, responsible for security affairs before the War of Independence, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense upon declaration of the founding of Israel, sought to destroy any shred of the organizations that had operated before the establishment of the state, as well as to rob his political adversaries (Mapam) of their public power base. Therefore, he sought to destroy the organizational uniqueness of the Palmach.
The decision to dismantle the Palmach stirred strong objections among its members, commanders and the “political- social rear”, meaning, the Kibbutz movements identified with Mapam (United Labor party). The Minister of Defense’s declared motives were based on his ambition for statehood and his declared approach to cancel organizational frameworks existing prior to the founding of the state.
In his opinion, the justification for any unique organizational framework was invalidated by the foundation of the IDF. A high quality unit such as the Palmach would best contribute its strength by assimilating itself into IDF.
Moreover, he treated any insubordination by commanders and troops in the Palmach severely. Opponents of Ben Gurion maintained that his genuine motives were narrow political considerations and based on his intention to weaken Mapam, the rival party, in which many of the Palmach's commanders were members. In their opinion, the quality of the Palmach's fighters and their fighting spirit justified its continued existence.
The Haganah's Striking Force companies had continued their operations- despite facing difficult crises - since 1941 until the end of the War of Independence.
The force had undergone numerous changes and accomplished many missions, even ones that did not correspond to its original designations.
David Ben Gurion, responsible for security affairs before the War of Independence, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense upon declaration of the founding of Israel, sought to destroy any shred of the organizations that had operated before the establishment of the state, as well as to rob his political adversaries (Mapam) of their public power base. Therefore, he sought to destroy the organizational uniqueness of the Palmach.