In the spring of 1936 the beginnings of a new world which was not at all apparent to the politicians and ordinary people of the time began to emerge. At the beginning of March the German army entered the Rhineland and took possession of it. In north-east Africa the Italians were about to conquer Addis Ababa. The Spanish Civil War erupted in the summer. The Axis powers were confronting mankind with the greatest political challenge of modern times.

For the Jewish people the events of the time, starting with the Arab Revolt of April 1936, were the embodiment of the paradox which is the history of Zionism. An examination of the past, which led to the re-establishment of Jewish sovereignty after two thousand years despite the cataclysmic events of the time, reveals a tremendous triumph. But the chronicles of that time, as reflected in the records, speeches and actions of those who lived through it, disclose a general sense of fear, doubt, despair and helplessness. As is usually the case, nothing that happened was inevitable.

At the end of March 1936, in the final lull before the storm, the Mapai leadership met to discuss the demands it should bring before the government. Eliyahu Golomb said: ‘There are matters in which it would be better for us not to succeed at this moment.’ Golomb was right.