The Haganah (Hagana)

======================

The Haganah was a Zionist paramilitary underground organization in Palestine during the British Mandate (1920–1948). It was established to provide comprehensive protection for the Jewish settlement against Arab attacks and eventually became the foundation for the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces with the creation of the State.

### History

#### Origin
The concept of the Haganah dates back to the late 19th century, when an organization by this name emerged in response to the 1887 pogroms in Russia. A direct predecessor of the Hagana was the group HaSchomer, founded in 1909 as a small association of Jewish immigrants with no more than 100 members.

#### Establishment
Following the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which promised Palestine as a "national home for the Jewish people" while respecting the rights of existing non-Jewish communities, massive Jewish immigration to Palestine took place. The riots of April 1920 in the Jerusalem Old City, which claimed five deaths and numerous injuries on the Jewish side, highlighted the need for organized defense.

The Haganah was formally established in 1920 with a national headquarters and general staff to manage the organization at a national level and coordinate operational activities. Initially, it operated under various institutions, but its function during the riots made clear the vital need for organized defense. The beginning of the 1930s saw significant growth and development, as the Haganah began to take shape.

#### Development
The Haganah's role in protecting the Jewish settlement against Arab attacks became increasingly important throughout the British Mandate period. As the organization grew, it established a national headquarters and general staff to manage its operations at a national level. The Haganah played a crucial part in the events leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel.

### Legacy
Immediately after the creation of the State of Israel, the Haganah was transferred to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), becoming the foundation for the modern IDF.