JEWISH IMMIGRATION TO PALESTINE1946-1948

Rare photographs of Jewish illegal immigrant ships approaching Palestine.

[Photograph album, Jerusalem, 1946-1948.] 82 photographs (various sizes from 58 x 41 mm. to 162 x 215 mm., most approx. 65 x 90 mm.) many with manuscript annotations, mounted on 16 leaves, oblong 4to (195 x 300 mm.). (A few small nicks to final photograph, some photographs lacking 1 or more mount). Original embossed leather with depiction of the Tower of David (extremities lightly rubbed, modern tie, some oxidisation to upper cover).

RARE PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF JEWISH IMMIGRATION TO PALESTINE. A collection of photographs, probably assembled by RAF serviceman F/Lt Lovegrove of No. 297 Squadron, showing Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jaffa, Haifa, as well as Khartoum and Malta. Of special significance are 6 photographs taken at Haifa Bay in July 1947 which show the approach of a Jewish illegal immigrant ship. Taken from the deck of either H.M. Destroyers ‘Verulam’ or ‘Childers’, 1 superb image shows the boarding of the ship by Royal Marines as part of the British blockade against illegal immigration into Palestine. 2 other photographs show ‘Hatikvah’, another ship carrying Jewish immigrants, being towed into bay, while beneath are mounted 2 passport photographs taken from ‘typical Jewish immigrants’. Lovegrove appears in 4 photographs towards the end of the album and in a large format annotated photograph of his squadron.

Between the end of World War II and the establishment of Israel in 1948, huge numbers of displaced Jews attempted to settle in Palestine in violation of the British White Paper of 1939. Although over half of all immigrant ships bound for Palestine were intercepted by the British blockade, it is estimated that ‘approximately 80,000 illegal immigrants reached Palestine during 1945-48’ (Jewish Virtual Library online). Those that were captured were often interned in camps in Cyprus, only arriving in Palestine after the creation of the state of Israel.