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Jewish Defense Organizations: The Labor Battalion

Inspired by Joseph Trumpeldor, the Labor Battalion, the first country-wide commune of Jewish workers in Palestine, was formed in the summer of 1920 by a group of young people from Russia. They were subsequently joined by many Third Aliya pioneers. The Battalion was meant to create a general commune of Palestinian Jewish workers, based on cooperation. Its brief period of activity is noted for constant ferment, arguments and fractiousness.

The Labor Battalion played an important pioneering role in rural settlement and in defense. Its emissaries were active in the Halutz (Pioneer) movement in Europe, especially in Poland. Over 2,000 pioneers passed through its ranks.


Sources: Israeli Foreign Ministry