Machal

Machal - (or Mahal - Hebrew acronym for Mitnadvei Hutz La'aretz -) Machal is the name given to volunteers from abroad. Chiefly, it refers to those who fought in Israel's War of Independence, and who previously helped to organize Aliya Bet illegal immigration from European DP camps after World War II. The 3,500 volunteers included Jews and non-Jews from at least 46 countries, of whom at least 120 lost their lives in the fighting. Among the dead are eight non-Jews and four women. The volunteers included allied soldiers, adventurers, British deserters and foreign volunteers like Esther Cailingold, who had volunteered to teach in the Old City of Jerusalem. The countries of origin included:

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