Russian-born Jewish advocate, author, and Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky began his career as a journalist but later devoted himself to the cause of a Jewish homeland following the devastating Russian pogroms. He founded the Jewish Legion of the British Army during World War I, and led the struggle between the wars to gain acceptance of a Jewish right to the lands of Palestine. Throughout his life, Jabotinsky relentlessly fought for the establishment of a Jewish state, facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way.
One of his most notable endeavors was his unsuccessful attempt to arrange the exodus of the entire Jewish population of Poland in 1936, driven by his dire prediction that annihilation awaited Jews there. Despite this setback, Jabotinsky remained committed to his cause and continued to write extensively on the subject. His literary output included a novel about Samson, which served as the inspiration for the iconic Cecil B. DeMille movie Samson and Delilah, released in 1949.
Jabotinsky's personal life was marked by a significant change in 1903, when he altered his first name from Vladimir to Ze'ev. He passed away suddenly in New York City in 1940, succumbing to a heart attack. Initially, he was refused burial in Palestine, and later in the state of Israel, due to his controversial views and actions. However, in 1964, his body was reinterred in Jerusalem, a testament to his enduring legacy as a champion of Jewish rights and a pioneer of the Zionist movement.
