This telegram, transmitted via Cable & Wireless Ltd., was written during the Irgun’s kidnapping of five British officials in Jerusalem in July 1948 and the subsequent negotiations involving the Hagana during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It reports on the Irgun’s claim of operating independently from the newly formed Jewish Defence Army (IDF) and notes the Hagana’s role in securing the hostages’ safety. Although undated, the content places the telegram between July 14 and 15, 1948, during the negotiations but prior to the officials’ release on July 16. It provides a rare contemporaneous account of one of the final high-profile incidents involving British officials in Mandate Palestine.
Cable & Wireless Ltd. Telegram
Undated – c. July 14–15, 1948
Downes and Hawkins: Please find Christian names from Electric Corporations London offices. Irgun stated they are outside Jewish Defence Army in Jerusalem and other parts of Palestine, outside territory of State of Israel. Hagana spokesman in Jerusalem stated Hagana negotiated with Irgun for securing safety of kidnapped officials but declined [to] take any action. Irgun declared they’ll make available all matters.
