Haganah

[ hah-gah-nah ]

noun

1. the underground Jewish militia in Palestine (1920–48) that became the national army of Israel after the partition of Palestine in 1948.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Haganah¹

< Modern Hebrew hagana literally, defense, Hebrew həgannāh

Example Sentences

She signed up with the Haganah, the underground army that was fighting for the creation of a Jewish homeland, and was injured when the kibbutz where she was teaching kindergarten was shelled.

From Los Angeles Times

There he joined the Haganah, the paramilitary organisation fighting the British to set up the state of Israel.

From BBC

He said his father also belonged to Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization.

From Washington Post

There, Jacob Topol became a member of the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization.

From New York Times

In the movie, the Haganah militia, a predecessor to the Israel Defense Forces, advances on Farha’s village.

From Washington Post