Etzel (Irgun) Bombs the King David Hotel in Jerusalem

Members of a Jewish defense organization, the Irgun, bomb the British administrative headquarters for Palestine, based in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing more than 90 British officials. The Irgun aims at making British governance in Palestine so costly that their actions hasten British withdrawal. Founded in 1931 by Ze’ev Jabotinsky, one of its formidable early leaders is Menachem Begin. It remains active until Israel’s independence in 1948, when it dissolves into the Haganah leadership. The Irgun, like the Haganah and Palmach, contributes to the security of the Yishuv and aides Jewish immigrants fleeing Europe.