Those Crazy Ones from Abroad

In May 1948 the new-born State of Israel was hanging by a thread after 5 Arab countries invaded her. Israel didn’t have one modern piece of artillery, not one tank, no military aircraft (Piper Cubs don’t qualify), few military vehicles and only 10,000 rifles for the entire defense of Israel. And those were scattered over the whole country.

Israel’s secret weapon was the “Ein Breira” – they had no alternative. When the whole world held its breath and waited for the annihilation of baby Israel, around 3500 people, coming from 37 countries, left their work and families to help Israel fight. Most of them were Jewish, but there were a few Christians amongst them.

“Mahal” they were called, for the Hebrew acronym: “Mitnadvei miChuts leAretz” - volunteers from abroad. The locals called them “Meshuga’im miChuts leAretz” - the crazy ones from abroad. Some were Zionist idealists, some came because of compassion for the underdog, there were those who came because they were restless, others because they liked a good fight.

These “Mahalniks” became the first of many ~ Israel’s first naval commanders, radar technicians, heavy artillery gunners, tank commanders, senior infantry commanders, fighter and bomber pilots and first surgeons for eye wounds and burns.
They came, even though they didn’t speak Hebrew, and didn’t know what was waiting for them. Those with aerial warfare experience often were assigned to take part in air attacks on the day of their arrival.

These volunteers also aided in the transport of 31,000 Holocaust survivors on 10 leaky ships to Israel.

Mahalnik Mickey Marcus, a Jewish American army colonel, became Israel’s first Brigadier General. He helped break the siege of Jerusalem through the famous “Burma Road”.

Sadly, due to the fact he didn’t speak Hebrew, and had forgotten the password, he was killed by friendly fire.

Mahalnik Jesse “Tex” Slade was a Navajo Indian who always went into battle wearing a Navajo charm bracelet, a Cross and a Mezuzah around his neck. “You’ll just cain’t be too careful with all them bombs and bullets flyin’ around”, he always said. He survived the war, and began a cattle ranch in the Negev. (According to rumors he rustled Jordanian cattle on the side.)

At the end of the War of Independence, most of the Mahalniks went back to their home countries. About 300 of them stayed behind and a group from North America and England established “Kfar Daniel”, near Lod.

More then 150 Mahalniks were killed in action. They gave their life in response to Joshua’s ancient call, “All those of valor shall pass armed among your brethren and shall help them.” Joshua 1:14.

They came, fought, and some gave their lives in order for the Jewish people to live. After building their lives in the countries they returned to, most Machalniks couldn’t talk about their experiences. As they are getting older, many see the need to share with the younger generation how it was to fight for the Jewish nation.

Zipporah Porath is one of them. She shares her experiences with those who show interest, and her book, “Letters form Jerusalem, 1947-1948” is for sale. See website page Book reviews.

Following are some links to learn more about Machal.

http://www.machal.org.il/
http://www.sabranet.com/machal/english.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahal_(Israel)
http://www.zionism-israel.com/dic/Machal.htm

The Israeli MACHAL stamp symbolized the specialized activities of the fighting volunteers. Partial views of two Norseman airplanes can he seen at the sides of the stamp, with a soldier and a jeep between them. The lower part of the stamp depicts the cannon known as Napoleon-chick, and the navy ship Achi Hagana K 20, which was previously the illegal immigrant ship The Jewish State.