Lehi Organization

Lehi (also known as the Stern Gang) broke away from the Irgun militant group in 1940, determined to continue its armed struggle against British rule in Palestine—even during World War II, when most Jewish factions suspended operations against the British to focus on the fight against Nazi Germany.

In its early phase, Lehi controversially sought alliances with Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, viewing the British Empire as a more immediate threat to Jewish national aspirations. Lehi attempted twice to forge a pact with the Nazis, proposing the creation of a Jewish state founded on “nationalist and totalitarian principles” that would be aligned with the German Reich.

Following the death of its founder, Avraham Stern, in 1942, Lehi’s new leadership shifted ideological direction, gravitating toward Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union and embracing elements of National Bolshevism—an ideology blending far-left and far-right doctrines. Lehi began to identify itself as “revolutionary socialist,” but this complex ideological stance failed to attract significant public support. As a result, the group performed poorly in Israel’s first national elections.

Lehi’s legacy is marred by several high-profile acts of violence. In April 1948, alongside the Irgun, it was responsible for the Deir Yassin massacre, in which at least 107 Palestinian Arab villagers, including women and children, were killed—an event that intensified regional hostilities. The group also carried out the assassination of                                           Yitzhaq Shamir warranty order

Lord Moyne, the British Minister Resident in the Middle East, led multiple other attacks against British forces in Palestine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

German cover letter alliance with Lehi

Late in 1940, Lehi, having identified a common interest between the intentions of the new German order and Jewish national aspirations, proposed forming an alliance in World War II with Nazi Germany.^[22] The organization offered cooperation in the following terms: Lehi would rebel against the British, while Germany would recognize an independent Jewish state in Palestine/Eretz Israel, and all Jews leaving their homes in Europe, by their own will or because of government injunctions, could enter Palestine with no restriction of numbers.

On May 29, 1948, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel, the Israeli government officially disbanded Lehi, integrating many of its members into the newly formed Israel Defense Forces (IDF). However, a rogue faction within Lehi went on to assassinate Count Folke Bernadotte, the United Nations mediator, in September 1948—a killing that drew international condemnation, including from his successor, Ralph Bunche. In response, the Israeli government labeled Lehi a terrorist organization, arresting around 200 members and                    prosecuting several leaders.

 Despite its controversial history, the government later issued a general amnesty for Lehi members just before the January 1949 elections. In a striking turn of events, one of Lehi’s former leaders, Yitzhak Shamir, went on to serve as Prime Minister of Israel from 1983 to 1992.