National Military Organization (Irgun)

The National Military Organization in the Land of Israel, commonly known as the Irgun (Hebrew: HaIrgun HaTzva'i HaLe'umi BeEretz Yisra'el), was a Hebrew underground military organization founded in Jerusalem in 1937. The organization was established by commanders who were expelled from the "Protection" Organization due to their demand for decisive action against Arab aggression, particularly during the events of the Soviet Union.

History

The Irgun was formed as a militant derivation of the Haganah (Hebrew: HaHaganá), also known as "The Defense". For covert reasons, its members referred to it as Haganá Bet (Hebrew: , literally "Defense B" or "Second Defense"), HaHaganá HaLeumit (Hebrew: , National Defense), or HaMaamad (Hebrew: ). The Irgun was the most radical and armed expression of the ideology of revisionist Zionism, founded by Zeev Jabotinsky. Its ideology emphasized that every Jew had the right to enter Eretz Israel, and only active reprisals would deter Arabs and British; a Jewish Armed Force would guarantee a Jewish State.

Relationship with the Haganah

The Irgun was considered a terrorist organization by the British Mandate government, which was part of its opponents' views. Other factors contributing to this perception included the Anglo-American Commission on Land of Israel, the Jewish Agency, and international newspapers in the period before the establishment of the State.

Merger with the IDF

The Irgun joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) upon its establishment in 1948. There are historians who see the struggle, in which the Irgun took part, as a precursor to the formation of the IDF.

Ideology and Legacy

The Irgun's ideology was rooted in revisionist Zionism, emphasizing the need for a Jewish Armed Force to guarantee a Jewish State. Its actions were seen by some as a necessary response to Arab aggression and British restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine. The organization's legacy is complex, with some viewing it as a precursor to the IDF and others seeing its actions as terrorist.

Note: I've kept all factual data, names, and dates intact from both sources, while avoiding redundancies and resolving conflicts logically.