Here is a list of actions by Irgun, Lehi (also known as the Stern Gang), and Haganah that might be considered acts of terrorism by today's standards, considering modern definitions which typically include acts intended to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or international organization to do or abstain from doing any act:
### Irgun (Irgun Zvai Leumi):
1. **King David Hotel Bombing (1946)** - Irgun bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, the headquarters of the British administration, leading to 91 deaths, including civilians.
2. **Deir Yassin Massacre (1948)** - Irgun, along with Lehi, attacked the Arab village of Deir Yassin, killing over 100 villagers, including women and children. The intention was to spread fear among the Arab population to encourage them to leave their homes.
3. **Railway and Train Attacks** - Irgun targeted British and Arab trains, sometimes derailing them in areas where they knew civilian casualties would be high.
4. **Bombings in Arab Markets** - Irgun carried out bombings in Arab markets aimed at causing panic and encouraging Arab exodus.
### Lehi (Lohamei Herut Israel - Fighters for the Freedom of Israel):
1. **Lord Moyne Assassination (1944)** - Lehi assassinated Lord Moyne, the British Minister Resident in the Middle East, in Cairo.
2. **UN Mediator Assassination (1948)** - Lehi assassinated Count Folke Bernadotte, the UN mediator in Palestine, due to his peace proposals which they opposed.
3. **Civic Bombings** - Similar to Irgun, Lehi engaged in bombings of civilian areas to incite terror among the Arab population.
4. **Attempted Assassination of Harry S. Truman** - Lehi sent letter bombs to British officials and had plans to assassinate President Truman, though these did not succeed.
### Haganah:
While Haganah was more focused on defense and less on terrorism compared to Irgun and Lehi, some actions might still fit modern definitions:
1. **Population Transfers and Evacuations** - During the 1948 War, Haganah, along with other Jewish militias, participated in operations leading to the expulsion of Arab civilians from their homes, which could be seen as ethnic cleansing today.
2. **Operation Nachshon and Other Military Operations** - These operations involved attacking Arab villages to secure land and highways, often resulting in civilian casualties or displacement.
3. **The Saison** - A campaign against Irgun and Lehi, where Haganah cooperated with the British to arrest members of these groups, which in today's context might be seen as suppression of political dissent through state-sponsored violence.
It's important to note several points:
- **Historical Context**: These groups operated during a time of intense conflict, with each side experiencing violence and displacement. The British Mandate for Palestine, the Jewish desire for statehood, and Arab opposition to this statehood created a complex and violent backdrop.
- **Legal and Moral Standards**: Definitions of terrorism have evolved, and what might be seen as terrorism now was often viewed differently at the time, sometimes as acts of resistance or warfare.
- **Statehood Legitimacy**: After Israel's establishment, many of these groups' members were integrated into the state's defense forces, and their actions are viewed by some as part of the struggle for independence.
- **Controversy and Debate**: The actions of these groups remain highly controversial, with differing views on whether they should be categorized as terrorism or liberation movements.
When discussing these historical events, it's crucial to consider the broader socio-political context and the evolution of international norms regarding warfare and terrorism.