December1

1880

1880

1880

December 3: Yosef Trumpeldor born, first Jewish officer in Czarist Army, among founders of Jewish Mule Corps and Tel Hai hero. Lost arm in Russo-Japanese War. Betar Movement named for him.

1917

1917

1917

December 16: Yosef Lishansky and Naaman Belkind, NILI members, hanged in Damascus Prison, charged with spying against Ottoman Empire. NILI, was an underground organization aiding the British in World War One.

1933

1933

1933

December 9: Demonstration in Tel Aviv, organized by Brit Hatzohar, against Mandate Government ban on immigration and protesting "hunt for tourists". 18 injured and 14 arrested in clashes with police.

1941

1941

1941

December 4: 'Committee for Jewish Army' established in Washington, U.S., aiming to establish army of Jewish soldiers fighting alongside Allied Powers. Pierre van Paassen and Hillel Kook (Peter Bergson) head commission.

1943

1943

1943

December 1: Menachem Begin, Natziv Betar Poland, appointed Etzel commander. Etzel conducts battle against the British Mandate, until founding of the state.

1945

1945

1945

December 27: Etzel and Lehi stage combined attacks on Criminal Investigative Department Headquarters in Jerusalem and Jaffa, in framework of "Jewish Resistance" Movement.

1949

1949

1949

December 27: West Jerusalem becomes Israeli capital, Knesset convenes there for first time. Government offices moved to Jerusalem, excepting Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs. U.N. and world capitals condemn move.

1978

1978

1978

December 10: Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat receive Nobel Peace Prize at ceremony in Oslo, Norway.

1981

1981

1981

December 14: Initiated by Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Knesset approves Ramat HaGolan Law, applying Israeli law and jurisdiction over the Golan Heights.