Terror Out of Zion: Irgun Zvai Leumi, Lehi and the Palestine Underground, 1929-1949

by J. Bowyer Bell

Book Overview

The dynamite bombing of the King David Hotel, the assassination of Lord Moyne in Cairo, and Count Bernardotte in Palestine were but a few acts of terror which forced the British out of the Middle... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380393964
• ISBN13: 9780380393961
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 468 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A very worthy impartial read.

I must disagree with the individual's comment below about this "glorifying" the right wing "terrorists". This book Bell does take a very impartial review of what life/times were like in mandate Palestine. Even today in Israel, there is immense suppression of any Conservative or so-called "right wing" views and/or Information. The historical troubles seen by Arutz-Sheva is one example of many. Israel, and the perception within Israel from its Courts, Media and Educational sytem are dominated by Left, to ultra Left, Socialists. This was/is the case since the Mapai/Mapam parties of Ben Gurion's days. This is fact not fiction. I'd suggest reading this book amongst others like "From Time Immemorial" by Joan Peters (Leftwing), "Revolt" by Menachem Begin, "Summing Up"- Yitzak Shamir, "Years of Wrath, Days of Glory"or "They Must Go" (and others) by Meir Kahane if you want Right Wing history of Israel. I feel this is a very good read that opens one's eyes to the "other" side of the coin. Books like "Ben Gurion's Scandals" by Naeim Giladi, "Perfidy" - Ben Hecht, "The Transfer Agreement" - Edwin Black or even works on the Atlena Affair or the Ring Worm Affair which outline/documented the immense racialism, bigotry and pure power hungry immoral tactics the Socialist (Labor Zionist) dictators of Israel used, during the days of pre-State Israel, to solidify and dominate total control of the Yishuv. Good luck and enjoy this book by Bell. ;-)

amazing finnally the truth told

finally a book that tells how the state was really created and amazing pictures. excellent truly excellent.

wonderful, a book about terror

Terror out of Zion tells the tale of the Jews who took to the gun to force the British and the Arabs out of Palistine. While Wiezman was tinkering in Washington and Ben-Gurion was debating with England small bands of Jewish youth were striking fear into the hearts of the british soldiers in Palistine. Terror our of Zion focuses on the Stern gang and the Irgun and thier triumphs and tragedies. It focuses on thier leaders Avraham Stern and Manachem Begin. The book also focuses on the near civil war that took place between the Haganah and these terrorist groups. In many ways these groups were the forfathers of the now illegal Kach movement. These groups in some ways predicted the birth of Mr. Goldstien who slaughtered the Arabs at prayer in the 90s in retaliation for Arab attacks on innocent Jews. THese terror gorups also created two Israeli prime ministers, Begin and Shamir, both of whom have had a formative influence on modern Israel. This is a worthwhile read and the only study of its kind on these essential groups.

Live by the sword, Die by the sword!

Bombing. Arson. Riots. Murder. Fear. Euphoria. Hope. Despair. Religious fanaticism. Sounds like the Mid-east at the turn of the century, right? The only question is, which century? Author, J. Bowyer Bells' book, "Terror Out of Zion," chronicles the chaos in Palestine/Israel from the late 1800's to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. The story is one of unparalleled violence. Recent events show, little has changed.Bell shows how Anti-Semitism in Europe from the late 1800's onward fueled the Zionist Movement making Jews determined to establish a national homeland. Nazism caused the movement to gain strength. As Hitler gained power Jews had two choices: immigrate illegally into Palestine, or Auschwitz! Palestinian Arabs, who had lived in the Holy Land for 2000 years, greeted their new, Jewish neighbors with pogrom like activities including riots, looting, arson, and murder. Through it all, the British attempted to maintain order throughout the "Mandate." Both Arabs and Jews were confident the authorities would ultimately see the rightness of their position. However when the British kept the door closed to, "The Promised Land," even to the survivors of the Holocaust, Vladimir Jabotinski, Avraham Stern, Menachem Begin etc. took up arms. Bells account of their ruthless, but highly successful terror tactics makes interesting reading. They are a blueprint for what's happening today.We have come a long since Britain attempted to police the "Mandate" with, "constables," armed only with, "staves." Caught between two groups who both claimed God's blessings, Britain tried to ignore the problem and hoped it would go away. When it did not, they left the problem to the U.N. The U.S. has assumed Britain's role as arbiter in the mid-east. Little has changed. Both sides are still convinced of the rightness of their cause. Both still hate with an intensity borne of decades of bloodshed. Only the weapons are different. Biological/chemical weapons, suicide bombings, and most recently, commercial airliners have replaced revolvers and homemade bombs for the terrorists. America now responds with strategic bombers and cruise missiles. While the level of violence has increased dramatically, we are no closer to a solution.Americans who mistakenly think the conflict began on Sept. 11, 2001 should read Terror Out Of Zion. What Bell does not answer is who is right? When is an individual or a group justified in taking up arms? What level of violence is justified? Do the ends justify the means? What is the distinction between a terrorist and a freedom fighter? Terror out of Zion is a historical expose on events that are directly related to what's happening in the world today. Enlightening, detailed and informative I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an answer to why the world stands on the brink of World War III today.

Great history of an often underemphasized issue

Bell writes a history of the role that the Irgun and Lehi played in the founding of the State of Israel. There is a tendency in the left of the Israeli political spectrum to minimize the role of the these organizations in the British decision to leave the Palestine Mandate and a tendency on the Arab side to portray these parties as brutal barbarians. Bell explores the motivations, operations, and personalities of these organizations and their contribution to the founding of the state of Israel. Bell concludes that these were highly dedicated men and women who sought a homeland for their people and that without their involvement, the Birtish might not have left. Bell's other works on the IRA and similar movements show that he is well versed in this type of material. I recommend this book to anyone who is open minded enough to hear all sides of the Israeli- Arab issue.