Borochov Group white flag with 2 blue stripes, yellow Star of David and fleur-de-lis acquired by a British officer
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 22.625 inches (57.468 cm) | Width: 37.000 inches (93.98 cm)
Creator(s)
- D. P. Grehan (Original owner)
Biographical History
D.P. Grehan was born in Ireland. As an adult, he joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers, one of three Irish units in the British Army, and served in World War II (1939-1945). In March 1947, Lieutenant Grehan was stationed on the island of Cyprus, which was ruled by the British under a United Nations mandate. He served as a commanding officer at H.Q. 1, overseeing internees at the British detention camp at Caraolos. The majority of the internees held at the camp were Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, many of whom were captured while trying to immigrate to Palestine illegally. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was established and, within six months, all of the internees on Cyprus were transported to the Jewish homeland. Lt. Grehan’s service in Cyprus concluded when the camp was closed in 1948.
Archival History
The flag was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2003.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Eretz Israel style flag, white with two blue stripes and a yellow Hashomer Hatzair logo acquired by Lt. D.P. Grehan, a Royal Irish Fusilier in the British Army who served as a commanding officer in Karaolos detention camp on Cyprus from March 1947 to June 1948. It also has the name of the Borochov Group, a Zionist Youth movement, whose members were interned in Camp No. 55 in Karaolos. The Ha-shomer Ha-tsa'ir Workers Party of Palestine, a Marxist-Zionist political party allied to the Kibbutz and socialist youth movements, was founded in 1946. Banners like these were used by internees at their tents and in parades and ceremonies. The internees were Ma'apilim, illegal immigrants, most Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, captured while trying to reach Eretz Israel without permission from the British. Great Britain controlled Palestine under a United Nations mandate and enforced very restrictive immigration policies. The huge number of postwar displaced persons led the British to set up the camps in 1946 as a deterrent. Ships attempting to bring unauthorized refugees were stopped by the British Navy and the passengers were interned on Cyprus. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was established. Within six months, most of the refugees interned on Cyprus were welcomed into the Jewish homeland.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular, white, silk flag made from 2 flags sewn together. Two 2 blue ribbons are attached to both flags, horizontally near the top and bottom. Painted in the center on both sides is a yellow and light brown ring of Hebrew characters enclosing a wreath with a stylized bow at the bottom; in the center is a Star of David enclosing a fleur-de-lis. On the back, the same design includes 2 additional symbols within the Star of David: a long-handled shovel and a hoe. An offwhite cloth hoist is sewn along the left edge but torn open. A large blue yarn tassel is tied to the upper and lower right corners.
Corporate Bodies
- World Hashomer Hatzair
Subjects
- Jewish refugees--Cyprus.
- Soldiers--Great Britain--Biography.
- Palestine--Emigration and immigration.
- Great Britain--Emigration and immigration--Government policy--History--20th century.
- Youth Movements.
- Jews--Cyprus--History--20th century.
- Refugee camps--Cyprus.
- Prisoners as artists--Cyprus.
- Military camps--Cyprus.
- Holocaust survivors--Cyprus.
Genre
- Identifying Artifacts
- Object