The Hashomer Organization

The Hashomer Organization, meaning “The Watchman,” was established on April 2, 1909, by members of the secret Bar-Giora Organization. They gathered in the colony of Kfar Tavor (Mes'ha Village) in the District of Tiberias and decided to operate openly.

Its purpose was to protect Jewish settlements in Palestine and provide its guards with the necessary training. Hashomer obtained the required authorization from the authorities in Tiberias after the Jewish Colonization Association approved the formation of a unit of 10 armed Jewish guards. The authorization also allowed the number of guards to be increased if necessary.

Israeli historians regard Hashomer as the nucleus of the Haganah and the Israeli army.