To the Muslims and to the Ottomans, it was just part of the Empire, but the locals were called Syrians to designate their place in the vast empire.
The Etzel (known as the Irgun) bombed the King David Hotel. It should be noted that the Palestinians use the bombing as the justification for their modern use of terror saying the are only copying the Jews. I reject that out of hand.
The King David Hotel, which served as headquarters for the British government offices. Ninety-one people died in the blast. The Etzel claimed that a telephone warning was issued and ignored. The British denied receiving a warning. At the official inquest, testimony was given by the Palestine Post operator that she had received the warning and telephoned the duty officer at the police station. Located next door to the King David was the French Consulate. The consulate staff testified that they had been warned that a blast was impending at the hotel, and they should open their windows in order to reduce casualties as well.
The definition of terrorism is the deliberate targeting of civilians to inspire fear or panic in hopes that the populace will force the government to capitulate to either the terrorists’ political, ideological, or religious demands.
O Jerusalem is a great book. I would also recommend Benjamin Netanyahu's A Durable Peace. If you like historical fiction, then Herman Wouk's The Hope and The Glory (2 separate books) are excellent reads and very factual.
The Haganah later became the IDF.
If I had seen your post, I would have not written this one, but thought I would share it with you any how.
Thanks for the book recommendations. I like historical fiction a lot. I read "Exodus", by Leon Uris years ago, but would like to pick up Wouk's books.
Any thoughts on Leon Uris' "The Haj"? I just re-read it, and was so saddened by the duplicity of the United States and Britain towards the fledgling Israel.