Palmach - Information, educational and propaganda activities
As an ideological force with a political orientation, which was subordinate to the Hagana organization HQ and the Yishuv institutions, the Palmach needed an educational-informative plan.
As an ideological force with a political orientation, which was subordinate to the Hagana organization HQ and the Yishuv institutions, the Palmach needed an educational-informative plan. At first, it served as an answer to the units' prominent need for information, and one authoritative character with suitable skills (eloquence, intellectual ability) was enough to pass on information to the field from the higher ranks: The Palmach HQ, the Hagana commandership and the Yishuv leadership. Information and cultural activities were held within the squads as early as 1942: On-going activity (Friday night parties, lectures) was overseen by the cultural committees, as well as squad gatherings, squad magazines and libraries. With the expansion of the Palmach and the dispersal of platoons among kibbutzim, according to the work and training schedule, a more centralized program was required.
The information program was established in the Palmach to first and foremost deal with motivational problems, but slowly moved on to handle other matters: In a voluntary organization of such egalitarian ethos as the Palmach, it was important to explain consult regular people and involve them in decision-making, rather than inundate them with orders. The Palmach was known for letting every man, even a private, have the right to know everything, and every commander saw it as his duty to share as much information as he had.
These two areas were not always separated. Thus, the imparting of knowledge and opinion merged together during geography lectures, which were especially notable, and focused on Israel's history and geography, the history of the Jewish Yishuv and its significance, as well as familiarizing with the Arabs and the Middle East in general. In many bases, the curriculum was suited to the environment and reality of the place. The information and cultural program was often times determined by the personality and type of connections the unit information officer had. When the Fourth battalion's information officer was Benny Marshak, who was known for his connections and initiatives, famous artists performed for his unit.
Special cultural events were also the result of local initiative: Holidays, memorial days or days marking important events in the Jewish history and the Yishuv (such as the 11th of Adar) received educational and ceremonial regard.
The information program was established in the Palmach to first and foremost deal with motivational problems, but slowly moved on to handle other matters: In a voluntary organization of such egalitarian ethos as the Palmach, it was important to explain consult regular people and involve them in decision-making, rather than inundate them with orders. The Palmach was known for letting every man, even a private, have the right to know everything, and every commander saw it as his duty to share as much information as he had.
These two areas were not always separated. Thus, the imparting of knowledge and opinion merged together during geography lectures, which were especially notable, and focused on Israel's history and geography, the history of the Jewish Yishuv and its significance, as well as familiarizing with the Arabs and the Middle East in general. In many bases, the curriculum was suited to the environment and reality of the place. The information and cultural program was often times determined by the personality and type of connections the unit information officer had. When the Fourth battalion's information officer was Benny Marshak, who was known for his connections and initiatives, famous artists performed for his unit.
Special cultural events were also the result of local initiative: Holidays, memorial days or days marking important events in the Jewish history and the Yishuv (such as the 11th of Adar) received educational and ceremonial regard.