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1946 British Embassy bombing

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The bombing of the British Embassy in Rome was an attack perpetrated by the Irgun that occurred on 31 October 1946. Two timed explosives encased in suitcases were planted by the Embassy's front entrance; the resulting blast injured three people and damaged the building's residential section beyond repair. One of the Irgun's intended targets, ambassador Noel Charles, was away on leave during the attack. Confirming fears of the expansion of Jewish terrorism beyond Mandatory Palestine, the bombing of the Embassy was the first attack of British personnel by the Irgun on European soil.

The British and Italian governments commenced an extensive investigation and concluded that Irgun operatives from Mandatory Palestine organized the attack with assistance from Jews in displacement camps. Italy subsequently enacted strict immigration reform and antisemitic sentiment heightened in the United Kingdom. During the early 1950s, Israel lobbied the British to pressure the Italian government not to pursue the terrorists. In 1952, eight suspects–including ringleader Moishe Deitel–were charged in absentia with light sentences.

Background

The British government anticipated the threat of Jewish terrorism emanating outside Mandatory Palestine in the aftermath of the Second World War.[1] Controversial policies—including a quota system limiting the number of Jewish immigrants into the Mandate—and the mass genocide of Jews in Europe by the Nazi regime reinvigorated the Zionist movement.[2] Revisionist Zionist militant groups such as the Irgun and the Lehi concluded that campaigns of political violence could shift British policies toward Mandatory Palestine.[3]

Before he retired as MI5's wartime Director General in May 1946, David Petrie offered an assessment of the threat of Jewish terrorism in Europe and a warning: "the red light is definitely showing".[4] MI5 consider Mandatory Palestine a priority within the British Empire and had Defence Security Officers (DSO) stationed within the Mandate, working with local criminal investigation departments (CID) as well as MI5's sister agency the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), to collect intel on Jewish terrorist threats to Britain.[5] Their sources warned that the Irgun and Stern Group were targeting British personnel outside Mandatory Palestine.[5] MI5 were obliged to take these threats seriously: on 22 July 1946, the Irgun bombed the King David Hotel, housing British government offices, in Jerusalem, killing 91.[5]

Bombing

In 1945 alone, 15,000 Jewish refugees entered Italy; the country's geographical location was favorable for the traffic of refugees to Palestine.[6] The Irgun termed the British Embassy as a centre of opposition to Jewish immigration, and thus became the group's preferred target.[7]

On the night of 31 October 1946, Irgun operatives planted two explosives encased in suitcases and rigged to a timer at the Embassy's front entrance.[8] A driver, working for the embassy, noticed the suitcases and entered the rear of the building to report them. A few moments later, the explosives detonated. The Embassy's residential section was destroyed by the blast which created a gapping hole in the entranceway. Noel Charles–the British ambassador and main target of the attack–was away on leave though his quarters were heavily damaged. No British personnel were harmed but three civilians were wounded, one critically.[9]

Aftermath

The bombing was the first Jewish terrorist operation by the Irgun against British personnel in Europe.[10] The British and Italian governments immediately suspected Jewish terrorists of the attack. An investigation was conducted by the Polizia di Stato with British and American assistance.[11] The Times reported on 6 November that American correspondents received a letter by the Irgun, claiming responsibility for the bombing; the Irgun threatened more coordinated attacks against Britain.[12]

The British media sensationalized the threat of Jewish terrorism on Britain herself, creating unsubstantiated accounts of terrorist plots and activities.[13] Consequently, antisemitic sentiment was heightened in the United Kingdom.[14] Though Jewish leadership of displacement camps condemned the bombing, the attack had an adverse affect on refugees in Italy. Encouraged by Britain, the Italian government enacted several pieces of legislation, reforming their immigration policy. The government set a registry deadline for 31 March 1947 and imposed strict travel visa requirements.[6]

Five years following the bombing, the State of Israel urged Britain to pressure Italy not to pursue eight suspects who resided in Israel. On 17 April 1952, the Italian government sentenced in absentia terrorist ringleader Moshe Deitel to 18 months inprisonment; seven others received eight-month sentences. The perpetrators, however, were given amnesty for their roles in the attack.[15]

References

  1. ^ Walton 2008, p. 435.
  2. ^ Walton 2008, p. 436.
  3. ^ Walton, p. 436.
  4. ^ Walton 2008, p. 439.
  5. ^ a b c Walton 2008, pp. 438–439.
  6. ^ a b Kokkonen, Susanna (25 April 2008). "Jewish Displaced Persons in Postwar Italy, 1945-1951". Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  7. ^ Bagon 2003, p. 93.
  8. ^ Suarez 2016, p. 319.
  9. ^ "Two Bombs Damage British Embassy Quarters in Rome", ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Chicago Daily Tribune, 31 October 1946, retrieved 7 May 2018
  10. ^ Walton 2008, p. 440.
  11. ^ "Italians and British Envoy in Charge", Daily Telegraph, 2 November 1946 {{citation}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ Bagon 2003, pp. 93–94.
  13. ^ Bagon 2003, pp. 94–95.
  14. ^ Bagon 2003, p. 98.
  15. ^ "Eight Irgunists Convicted in Italy for Bombing of British Embassy". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 21 April 1952. Retrieved 7 May 2018.

Bibliography

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