יומנים > יומן - מלא 11/10/1948

Monday, October 11, 1948

This morning I went to Tel Litvinsky for a gathering of the WC [Women's Corps] commanders. I was asked questions and I provided answers.

       - Yosef Yaakovson: arranged a loan of a million [dollars] from Ampal [the American-Palestine Trading Corporation, a US-based subsidiary of Bank HaPo'alim in service of the Histadrut], with the authorization of [Eliezer] Kaplan. He hasn't taken the money, because in the meantime he received a loan of 2 million from the Joint [Distribution Committee]. Ampal agreed to provide another loan of two million. The first million immediately, two more in six weeks. The six weeks have passed in the meantime. Ampal agreed to receive from the government of Israel a certificate that is not subject to discount [a nondeductible and nontransferable certificate of guarantee that remains with the lender].

       The Joint's two million were spent in America, in addition to the $ 800,000 from the [Jewish] Agency and further credit of 600,000 and another $ 2½ million that were received in Canada and spent there. In total $ 5,900,000. Out of all this, [half a million] was transferred to Kozlowski [Pinchas Sapir] for clothing, and half a million for vehicles [to] Boganov [Israel Barnea - i.e., vehicles for the Transport Corps]. The half-million will only be enough for 60,000 uniforms; we need 100,000 uniforms. Yesterday another 20,000 uniforms, coats, shoes were bought. Another half-million should be transferred to Kozlowski for clothing. Kaplan claims he has no money, but it can be taken from Ampal - at least half a million for Kozlowski.

       - As Nehemiah [Argov] verified, 16 people have been killed in the Negev so far since the small skirmishes began. Among them was Dov Yosef's daughter, who fell in Dorot.

       - I confirmed with Gershon Zak, per Ya'akov [Dori]'s advice, that Paul [Shulman] would be the replacement for chief of staff, [and] Yossi [Hamberger-Harel] his deputy. For some reason Gershon objected to this - according to him, "the guys" oppose this. Paul will manage the school on Saint Lucas [St.?]. There's also talk of an English naval officer, Salomon, who could be chief of staff, and an American officer "who arrived in recent days." There are stronger differences between the English and the Americans in our navy than between England and America.

       - Isser [Harel]: LEHI members in Acre busted the walls and turned separate rooms into a single common hall. The security and management of the prison, with Ya'akov [Dori]'s consent, is being transferred to Isser. They're starting to investigate, and tomorrow releases and trials will begin. In Acre there are 127. In Isser's opinion, dozens fled [from Jaffa]. The civilian and the military police cannot be relied on. The Personnel Department didn't provide the necessary human material. In his opinion all the military policemen involved in the prison affair in Jaffa [must be] fired and sent to the army [to a different corps].

       - Staff meeting: Last night we caught an Egyptian [transmission of an] ultimatum to the UN [stating] that if the Jews don't return [the] positions [they captured] by 5 a.m. this morning - they'll take action against the Jews. The UN didn't approach us, but they immediately informed the Egyptians that they would see this as a serious violation of the truce. In the meantime nothing's happened this morning. Our preparations [for Operation Yoav] are proceeding as planned. From the Negev Brigade 500 have already gone down, [more] are going down tonight, and the raid battalion will go down. There are delays in receiving [light] machine guns and gear. Another 18 jeeps have been assembled for the Negev. Need to ensure 60 vehicles for the people of the south to take action.

       Aharon Remez thinks that by the weekend we'll receive 16-18 "Spits" [Spitfire planes]. Need to set up an airfield in Herzliya. A budget was approved, vehicles are needed.

       We summoned [Daniel] Magen - head of the military police. I told him that the matter in Jaffa [LEHI members escaping prison] is the most disgraceful failing of the State of Israel. All the policemen need to be convened and informed that they're being dismissed [from the corps] and sent to the army, [and] the Personnel Department needs to provide 250 select men with suitable commanders. David Shaltiel was tasked with examining the incident and submitting a report.

       - Nahum [Shadmi]: is prepared to accept the position of military secretary (for the appointment of officers). He'd been told that I object to this. I promised to clarify the matter with Ya'akov [Dori].