The First Official Announcement Regarding the Repatriation of David Raziel’s Remains to Israel – The Iraqi ...

The First Official Announcement Regarding the Repatriation of David Raziel’s Remains to Israel – The Iraqi Consulate in Jerusalem

A pair of historic letters from the Iraqi Consul in Jerusalem, marking the first official approval for the transfer of the remains of David Raziel, the commander of the Irgun (Etzel), from Iraq to Eretz Israel. Jerusalem, August 1947.

In the first letter, the Iraqi Consul in Jerusalem addresses officials in Iraq, formally requesting authorization to transfer the remains of David Raziel to Eretz Israel. In the second letter, the long-awaited response arrives: "We are pleased to inform you that the competent Iraqi authorities have agreed to your request to transfer the remains of David Raziel." The letter bears the signature of the Iraqi Consul. This was the first official approval granted by the Iraqi government for the repatriation of David Raziel's remains.

David Raziel [1910-1941] – "Aluf Ben Anat" was one of the founders of the Irgun (Etzel), its fourth commander, and the head of Betar in Eretz Israel. Born in 1910, he immigrated to Palestine with his family at the age of three. However, due to their Russian citizenship, the family was expelled and wandered for eight years before returning. Raziel completed his high school studies at Tachkemoni, where his father taught, and later continued at Merkaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He also studied at the Hebrew University and was a member of the El-Al Student Alliance. His views on the British shifted following the outbreak of World War II, when the Nazis became a common enemy. In 1941, the British sent him to Iraq to suppress an anti-British uprising. Leading a four-man commando unit, he was killed near Fallujah by a German aerial bombardment. The British buried him in Habbaniya, Iraq, and extensive efforts were made to negotiate with the Iraqi government to bring his remains to Eretz Israel. Although Iraq initially granted approval in 1955, it was on the condition that Raziel’s remains be reburied in Cyprus, not Israel. It was only in 1961 that Menachem Begin persuaded the new leader of Cyprus to allow the final transfer, and on 28 Adar (March 1961), David Raziel was finally laid to rest on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem in a funeral attended by thousands.

[2] Letters, 20x16.5 cm. The letter confirming the approval for the transfer of Raziel's remains is printed on official Iraqi consulate letterhead, bearing the Iraqi national emblem. Fold marks. Good condition.