The Change in the relationship with the British
The change in the relationship with the British regarding the independent defense force was apparent, among other things, in the dispute between the Hagana and the British army about the ownership of the weapons used by Palmach members in Mishmar Haemek.
The change in the relationship with the British regarding the independent defense force was apparent, among other things, in the dispute between the Hagana and the British army about the ownership of the weapons used by Palmach members in Mishmar Haemek. The possession of weapons by the Hagana in the Collective Agricultural settlements, the acquisitions and the Palmach trainings caused a number of incidents with the British. In these incidents, about 40 armed Palmach members were caught, put on trial and sentenced to prison. The worst confrontation in that time period took place on 16.11.43, in kibbutz Ramat-Hakovesh, during a brutal search for weapons of the Palmach units residing there.
During the Saizon period against the Etzel (November 1944 – March 1945), the Palmach HQ opposed the collaboration with the British secret police, which was decided upon by the Yishuv institutions. The Hagana claimed that one must not help the enemy in any way, and warned that this could potentially harm the ability to run an organized battle against the British. What's more, the British took advantage of the Yishuv's internal conflict, working against Palmach and Hagana members who exposed themselves as part of the collaboration.
The numerous incidents with the British indicated the hidden potential for tension by the mere existence of the Palmach, though they did not actively seek to destroy it. However, it's worth noting that most of the Palmach's attention during 1941-1945 was dedicated to training and organization for the day of the real war - the war against the Arabs in Eretz Israel.
During the Saizon period against the Etzel (November 1944 – March 1945), the Palmach HQ opposed the collaboration with the British secret police, which was decided upon by the Yishuv institutions. The Hagana claimed that one must not help the enemy in any way, and warned that this could potentially harm the ability to run an organized battle against the British. What's more, the British took advantage of the Yishuv's internal conflict, working against Palmach and Hagana members who exposed themselves as part of the collaboration.
The numerous incidents with the British indicated the hidden potential for tension by the mere existence of the Palmach, though they did not actively seek to destroy it. However, it's worth noting that most of the Palmach's attention during 1941-1945 was dedicated to training and organization for the day of the real war - the war against the Arabs in Eretz Israel.