The Palmach’s Religious Platoon
The Palmach’s Religious Platoon was set up in 1942. It was first located near the religious Kibbutz Yavne and operated in the framework of Company Five. Yehuda Blum (Nizan) was appointed in 1944 to be the Platoon’s first religious commander.
The Palmach’s Religious Platoon
The Palmach’s Religious Platoon was set up in 1942. It was first located near the religious Kibbutz Yavne and operated in the framework of Company Five. Yehuda Blum (Nizan) was appointed in 1944 to be the platoon’s first religious commander. In January 1945, the Religious Platoon founded the settlement of Birya intending to display the Jewish ownership of the land in response to the Arab claim on the territory. The platoon was annexed to Company Nine and its members were employed in foresting labors on behalf of the Keren Kayemet (the National Fund). The Religious Platoon was chosen to establish Birya because of the religious link between its men and the nearby religious city of Safad. The spot was meant to become a settlement for Jewish soldiers in the British army after their release. The platoon was in charge of a number of security functions:
Gathering data and mapping the local Arab villages.
Prior scouting of possible targets such as bridges, railroads and army camps.
On the night between the 5th and 6th of February 1946, a unit from the platoon took part as a supporting force in the framework of the failed attempt to break in and release eleven Palmach members imprisoned in the Har Kna’an police.
Gathering data and mapping the local Arab villages.
Prior scouting of possible targets such as bridges, railroads and army camps.
On the night between the 5th and 6th of February 1946, a unit from the platoon took part as a supporting force in the framework of the failed attempt to break in and release eleven Palmach members imprisoned in the Har Kna’an police.