PRINCIPLES OF THE LECHI (Song)

PRINCIPLES OF REBIRTH (LECHI)

(1) THE NATION - The Jewish nation is unique in that it has given the world monotheism and the moral laws of the prophets. It stands in the forefront of universal culture and is distinguished by its traditions, boundless faith, will to live and powers of resistance; by its enlightenment and confidence in salvation.

(2) THE HOMELAND - This is the Land of Israel, the boundaries of which are explicitly stated in the Torah ("To your descendants I give this land from the River of Egypt to the Great river, the Euphrates ..." Genesis 15:18)

(3) THE NATION AND ITS HOMELAND - The Land of Israel was conquered by the Jews by the sword. It was here they became a nation and only here can they be reborn. Not only has Israel the right of ownership over the land but this ownership is absolute and has never been or can ever be rescinded.

(4) THE DESTINY - The nation is dedicated to : 1) Redeeming the land. 2) Re-establishing its sovereignty. 3) Reviving the nation: there can be no sovereignty without redemption of the land and no national rebirth without renewing our sovereignty.

(5) EDUCATION - Fostering the love of freedom and a religious faith in the eternal values of our people; imbuing the people with the concept that they are the masters of their fate; renewing their conviction that "the sword and the Book came down intertwined from heaven."

(6) UNITY - Uniting the whole nation around the flag of the Hebrew Freedom Movement; exploiting the genius, status and power of individuals and directing the energy, devotion and enthusiasm of the masses towards a war of liberation.

(7) ALLIANCES - Treaties will be signed with any power interested in supporting the struggle of the Organization and willing to give direct assistance.

(8) STRENGTH - To Mold and Glorify the Hebrew Redeeming Force in ISRAEL and the Diaspora, in the underground and Barracks, to be a proud Army with his own Banner, Weapons and Officers.

(9) WAR - Strengthening the fighting forces and enhancing their status both at home and in the Diaspora, in the underground and in the barracks, until there emerges a Hebrew army of salvation with its own flag, arms and officers.

(10) CONQUEST - The Promised Land, now in the hands of foreigners, will be conquered and held to the end of time.

(11) MASTERY - Re-establishment of Hebrew hegemony in the liberated land.

(12) RULE OF JUSTICE - Creation of a social order founded on the morality of Israel and the justice of the Prophets - and order where no man may be hungry or unemployed and all live in amity, mutual respect and friendship, thus setting an example to the whole world.

(13) REPLANTING THE DESERTS - Rebuilding the ruins and replanting the ravished wastes in preparation for the arrival of millions of Jews and their off-spring.

(14) DEALING WITH ALIENS - This will be done by means of exchange of populations.

(15) INGATHERING OF THE EXILES - Jews from all parts of the Diaspora will be ingathered in full in the State of Israel.

(16) RULE - Strengthening the nation by developing it into a major military, political, cultural and economic power in the East and on the shores of the Mediterranean.

(17) RENAISSANCE - Universal revival of the Hebrew language and of national and spiritual independence; refinement of the national character through the process of rebirth.

(18) THE TEMPLE - A Third Temple will be built, symbolizing the complete salvation.

All in all, (in May 1948) total LECHI strength was approximately 2,000. Some 750 enlisted into the Israel Defense Forces on the first day of recruitment. Most of them were transferred to Yitzchak Sadeh's division and the 89th Commando Brigade of Moshe Dayan and the 82nd commanded by Yoffe. The majority of the Intelligence Section of LECHI, suspicious of Ben-Gurion's intentions, enlisted individually so as not to be identified with LECHI.