Samuel Klausner – författare

This deeply researched volume uncovers the untold story of the North American men and women who joined Israel’s 1848 fight for independence. Known as Mahal (Volunteers from Abroad), these individuals risked their lives, citizenships, and futures to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, Aliyah Bet, and other units. Drawing from a rare trove of archival material, including a 1992 questionnaire distributed among veterans, this study reveals their motives, backgrounds, and lasting impressions of a transformative experience. From makeshift airfields in Tel Aviv to covert operations across the Mediterranean, these volunteers defied U.S. embargoes, navigated the tensions of dual loyalties, and helped shape a nation in its most vulnerable hour. It's a perfect read for historians and scholars of Jewish studies and diaspora identity.