Avraham Stern: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:59, 18 August 2003

Revision as of 17:08, 27 January 2004

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'''Abraham Stern''', alias '''Yair''' ([[December 23]], [[1907]] - [[February 12]], [[1942]]) was the founder and leader of the [[Zionist]] underground [[terror]] organisation later known as [[Lehi]] and also known as the "Stern Gang."

Stern was born in [[Poland]], immigrated to [[Israel]] in [[1925]], and studied in the Hebrew Gymnasium in [[Jerusalem]], and afterwards in the [[Hebrew University]] on Mount Scopus. He specialized in Classic languages and literature (Greek and Latin).

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He founded [[Lehi]] in [[1940]] (though it did not adopt that name until after his death), by splitting from the [[Irgun]], when the latter joined forces with [[Haganah]] to form the United Hebrew Insurgence, "Brit ha-Meri ha-Ivri," which supported the British in their fight against the [[Nazi]]s.

Stern was unpopular with many of the other Underground leaders. He struck an odd figure in the casual environment of the Jewish Underground, which was largely based on the [[kibbutz]] movement, by appearing as a fastidious and formal intellectual, who always insisted on wearing a [[necktie]] and [[jacket]], even in the blazing [[Middle East]] [[summer]]. His movement drew an eclectic crew of individuals, from both ends of the political spectrum, and included such prominent right-wing activists as [[Yitzhak Shamir]], and left-wing activists such as [[Uri Avnery]], as well as several Arabs, who supported in his staunch anti-colonialism.

In January 1941, Stern attempted to make an agreement with the German Nazi authorities, offering to "actively take part in the war on Germany's side" in return for "the establishment of the historic Jewish state on a national and totalitarian basis, bound by a treaty with the German Reich". Another attempt to contact the Germans was made in late 1941, but there is no record of a German response in either case.

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Stern was also a poet. As early as [[1934]] he prepared his first poetry book for publishing. He wrote, ''inter alia,'' [[Lehi]]'s anthem, "Anonymous Soldiers."

Avraham Stern's memorial day is attended every year by Israeli political and government officials.