Safed War of Independence

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{{Infobox
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('''Hebrew''': שחרור צפת / '''Pronunciation''': Shi’ich-rur Tz’fat / '''Other Names''': Milchemet HaAtzmaut, War of Independence, 1948 Battle for Safed / '''Definition''': Jewish Liberation of Tzfat / '''Description''': Battle to Liberate Tzfat during Israel’s War of Independence)
|title = Tzfat War of Independence
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|image        = [[File:00000374 defenders of safed memorial.jpg|215px|alt=Tzfat War of Independence]]
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|header1 = Hebrew:
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|data2  = שחרור צפת
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|header3 = Pronunciation:
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|data4  = Shi’ich-rur Tz’fat
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|header5 = Other Names:
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|data6  = Milchemet HaAtzmaut, War of Independence, 1948 Battle for Safed
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|header7 = Description:
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|data8  = Battle to Liberate Tzfat during Israel’s War of Independence.}}
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As World War II drew to a close the Jews of Palestine began to exert increased pressure on the British to end their Mandate and leave Palestine. This would allow the Jews to establish an independent Jewish country. At this time the leaders of the “Yishuv” -- Jewish Settlement of pre-State Israel -- prepared for war with the Arabs who opposed the creation of a Jewish State. Both the Jewish and Arab forces considered the capture of [[Safed]] as a vital goal which would allow them to advance their position in northern Israel.
 
As World War II drew to a close the Jews of Palestine began to exert increased pressure on the British to end their Mandate and leave Palestine. This would allow the Jews to establish an independent Jewish country. At this time the leaders of the “Yishuv” -- Jewish Settlement of pre-State Israel -- prepared for war with the Arabs who opposed the creation of a Jewish State. Both the Jewish and Arab forces considered the capture of [[Safed]] as a vital goal which would allow them to advance their position in northern Israel.
  
 
== Events Leading Up to Safed' Battle for Independence  ==
 
== Events Leading Up to Safed' Battle for Independence  ==
In 1948 the population of Safed was estimated to be approximately 12,000 Arabs and 4,000 Jews. The Jewish community had been gearing up for the expected battle for years, making and hiding weapons in clandestine cellars and in the nearby settlement of [[Biriya]]. After the United Nations voted to recognize a Jewish country in Palestine in November 1947 the Haganah and the Irgun, two Jewish underground self-defense organizations active in Tsfat, increased their preparations for battle.
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In 1948 the population of Safed was estimated to be approximately 12,000 Arabs and 4,000 Jews. The Jewish community had been gearing up for the expected battle for years, making and hiding weapons in clandestine cellars and in the nearby settlement of Biriya. After the United Nations voted to recognize a Jewish country in Palestine in November 1947 the Haganah and the Irgun, two Jewish underground self-defense organizations active in Tsfat, increased their preparations for battle.
  
 
== British Pro-Arab Policies ==
 
== British Pro-Arab Policies ==
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== British Depart ==
 
== British Depart ==
The British prepared to depart Tzfat on April 16th 1948. As they left they turned over four high points in the city to Arab forces, including the [[Metzuda of Safed|Citadel fortress]], the two police stations, one on the main street and one on the Cana’an mountaintop and the Beit Shalva building that guarded the entrance to Tzfat.
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The British prepared to depart Tzfat on April 16th 1948. As they left they turned over four high points in the city to Arab forces, including the Citadel fortress, the two police stations, one on the main street and one on the Cana’an mountaintop and the Beit Shalva building that guarded the entrance to Tzfat.
  
 
=== Evacuation ===
 
=== Evacuation ===
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=== Opening the Road  ===
 
=== Opening the Road  ===
The Haganah attacked Beit Shalva which guarded the road leading into Tzfat. They succeeded in capturing the building. Together with the capture of the nearby towns of Ein Zaytim and [[Biriya]], the Haganah was able to relieve the siege of Tzfat and allow supplies to enter the city.
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The Haganah attacked Beit Shalva which guarded the road leading into Tzfat. They succeeded in capturing the building. Together with the capture of the nearby towns of Ein Zaytim and Biriya, the Haganah was able to relieve the siege of Tzfat and allow supplies to enter the city.
  
 
=== Convoy  ===
 
=== Convoy  ===
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Among the assortment of old weapons that comprised the Haganah’s arsenel was a Czech artillery piece. The Haganah named it the “Davidka” in recognition of the reality of the situation -- David was going up against Goliath.
 
Among the assortment of old weapons that comprised the Haganah’s arsenel was a Czech artillery piece. The Haganah named it the “Davidka” in recognition of the reality of the situation -- David was going up against Goliath.
  
The Haganah fired the [[Davidka of Safed|Davidka]] several times. The weapon did little actual damage but made a tremendous noise. When it began to rain after the weapon had been fired, Peled circulated the rumor that “everyone knows that it always rains after an atomic blast.” Soon, the Arabs had all heard that the Jews had an atomic bomb. The entire Arab population fled Tzfat.
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The Haganah fired the Davidka several times. The weapon did little actual damage but made a tremendous noise. When it began to rain after the weapon had been fired, Peled circulated the rumor that “everyone knows that it always rains after an atomic blast.” Soon, the Arabs had all heard that the Jews had an atomic bomb. The entire Arab population fled Tzfat.
 
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[[File:more.jpg|link=]] '''Read full Zissil article on the [[Davidka of Safed|Davidka]]'''
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=== Final Battle ===
 
=== Final Battle ===
 
After their civilian population left, the morale of the Arab fighters deteriorated. On May 10th the Haganah captured the Citadel and within days, they captured the police station at the summit of Mt. Cana’an. The Battle for Safed was finished and the Jews of Safed could live in safety due to the miracles of G-D.
 
After their civilian population left, the morale of the Arab fighters deteriorated. On May 10th the Haganah captured the Citadel and within days, they captured the police station at the summit of Mt. Cana’an. The Battle for Safed was finished and the Jews of Safed could live in safety due to the miracles of G-D.
 
 
 
{{Safed History}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Safed]]
 
[[Category:Safed]]
 
[[Category:Jewish History]]
 
[[Category:Jewish History]]

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