GOLOMB, ELIYAHU

(1893-1945)

Born in Volkovysk, Russia, he immigrated (see ALIYA) toPalestineas a youth and graduated from Her-zliya High School. He served with theJewish Legionof British forces in Palestine during World War I and was active in theZionistLabor Movement, serving as Mapai's chief spokesman on defense matters. One of the founders of theHaganain 1921, he was a member of its Command Council and its informal leader until his death. In the 1920s and 1930s, he directed clandestine arms procurement operations for theYishuvin contravention of the policies of theBritish mandatoryauthority. Together with Shaul Avigur andBerl Katznelson, Golomb participated in the foundation, organization, and financing of the Hagana's program of illegal Jewish immigration to Palestine (Aliya Bet) in 1938—10. He led Hagana activities and development during theArabRevolt (1936-39), encouraging enlistment in the Jewishsettlementpolicy and in the British army during World War II in order to lay a legal basis for the strengthening and improvement of the Hagana. In addition, he was an early advocate of Jewish air power and the establishment in 1940 of the Hehalutz flight school in theUnited States. Golomb died inTel Aviv. His home in Tel Aviv was subsequently turned into the Hagana museum and archives, known as Beit Eliyahu.