moment I despise from the depths of my heart all those who are not members of the Irgun.
H 1־ H
1940. In the world outside a war is raging and the Irgun has called a ceasefire. We continue our intensive training, undertake strenuous hikes and prepare ourselves. My main task is to infiltrate other youth organizations and to set up underground cells. One after the other I become a sportsman in the "Maccabi," a sailor in "Zebulun," and a youth leader in the "Zionist Youth."
The Irgun does not supply me with much information material. Most of the time I have to rely on my own knowledge. Occasionally I notice discrepancies between the official Irgun positions and those I propagate in its name. But I suppress my doubts.
One day I am marching with the Zionist Youth in a mass demon-stration of the youth movements. I have forgotten what it was about. The law of land purchase or an immigrant ship that was prevented from docking. The "Institutions of the Yishuv" have called a strike. We are carrying flags and many boastful placards, with slogans that no one believes in. Next to the Muslim graveyard, by the beach, empty speeches are made by some personalities. They look rather pitiful and none of us pays them any attention. One of them, a short man with a big nose, is almost dancing with enthusiasm. He stirs the air with his arms and his voice cracks. He is promising a war to the last drop of blood.
"Big mouth," sneers Srulik, a Zionist youth who appears in my notebook as a Haganah member. "They are always talking, but they never do anything!" "The Haganah should do something," I remark casually. "Do what, with these old people in control?" he answers hopelessly. I make a note of what he said, to include in my next report.
The hysterical leader suddenly lowers his voice and asks us to fold up the flags and banners. We sing Ha Tikva6 and are asked to disperse gradually.
"What a scandal" complains Srulik.
"Come on! Let’s organize something!" I suggest.
"But what could we do?" he asks sceptically. I know that the Haganah has forbidden its members to cause trouble. The Irgun has also forbidden us from taking part in demonstrations.