April 1948 invasion Deir Yassin

when hostilities erupted in 1948, villagers of deir yassin , of nearby jewish village of giv @ shaul signed pact, later approved @ haganah headquarters, maintain relations, exchange information on movement of outsiders through village territory, , ensure safety of vehicles village. inhabitants of deir yassin upheld agreement scrupulously, resisting infiltration arab irregulars. though known irgun , lehi forces, attacked village on april 9, 1948. assault beaten off initially, attackers suffering 40 wounded. intervention of palmach unit, using mortars, allowed them conquer village. houses blown people inside , people shot: 107 villagers, including women , children, killed. survivors loaded on trucks driven through jerusalem in victory parade, sources describing further violence lehi soldiers. 4 irgun or lehi men killed. incident became known deir yassin massacre.

on april 10, 1948, 1 day after deir yassin massacre, albert einstein wrote critical letter american friends of fighters freedom of israel (the u.s chapter of stern gang) refusing assist them aid or support raise money cause in palestine. on december 2, 1948, many prominent american jews signed , published op-ed article in new york times critical of menachem begin , massacre @ deir yassin.