Large poster calling for a eulogy assembly in Jerusalem upon completion of the shivah after the murder of Dr. Ya’akov Yisrael de Haan. Historic document.
Announcement on behalf of the geonim and tzaddikim of Jerusalem calling for a eulogy assembly for R’ Yaakov Yisrael de Haan ‘who was martyred in sanctification of G-d’s name … in dedicated defense of Chareidi Jewry in the Holy City and his fight for the release and freedom from the rule of the “free” …’ The poster indicates that the assembly will take place at the Meah She’arim yeshivah, and eulogies will be delivered by Rabbi Ben Tziyon Yadler with the attendance of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld.
Ya’akov Yisrael de Haan [1881-1924] was a unique figure in Chareidi Jewish history, that is replete with splendor, towards the beginning of the revival of the Jewish people and its return to its Land. He was a diplomat, a jurist, a journalist and Jewish poet, a native of Holland. In 1919, after becoming religiously observant and a Zionist activist, he ascended to the Land of Israel with the desire to become part of the Zionist movement. Yet eventually he actually joined together with the Edah HaChareidit circles and became a close associate of Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld.
Dr. de Haan, who was expert in the depths of international politics and supremely talented jurist, began to act against the Zionist leadership using its own tools, tools as yet unknown to Chareidi leadership. He met with senior government officials in England to present the Chareidi position and distinguish it from the Zionist one, and even represented the Chareidi position in court. He would regularly attack Zionism and its leaders. Among other events, he organized a Chareidi delegation to Emir Abdullah, king of Jordan to discuss ownership of the Land. When de Haan began to succeed in his activities, and pose a real threat to Zionist leadership, a decision was made to assassinate him. In 1924, as he left the synagogue onto Jaffa Street following minchah prayers, de Haan was murdered by three shots from an unidentified assassin. This assassination was considered the first political murder in the Land of Israel. [Over the years, several names of those involved from among leaders of the underground movement of the Zionist settlement have been raised as having stood behind the assassination.]
[1] poster, 49×35 cm.
Fine condition. Creases. Tears in the margins without blemish to text.