Palestinian fedayeen surrendering to the Israelis.
Private
August 5, 1957 Friday afternoon
Dear Alan,
I’m still on a kibbutz. This is exciting.
Last night four of the members went to get watermelon from the fields of the Arabs. They got dressed up as Arabs, but carried knives and machine guns just in case. They came back late at night and had a big party as they cut up the sacks full of melons they took. One of the boys used an Egyptian knife he took in Sinai from a wounded Arab who tried to kill him.
I tried to buy it from him for you but he said he would think it over first. I think he will let me buy it. It’s a real beaut.
They go for hikes in parts of the Negev where there are Fedayeen. They hide on the mountain tops until they see the Arabs. Then they call up for more men in case one or two get away. Meanwhile they attack from the mountain tops. By these hikes they have largely stopped any Arabs from going into Israel. Then they call up for more men in case one or two get away. Meanwhile they attack from the mountain tops.
Too bad but they won’t let me join them.
I really miss you pal
Love Bob
August 5, 1957 Friday afternoon
This letter refers to the Israeli soldiers who had just returned from the Negev, where the Fedayeen were known for carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. The Fedayeen were Arab terrorists who began in the mid-1950’s to carry out cross border terror operations into Israel from Syria, Egypt, and Jordan.
