Haganah

American  

[hah-gah-nah] / hɑ gɑˈnɑ /

noun

1. the underground Jewish militia in Palestine (1920–48) that became the national army of Israel after the partition of Palestine in 1948.

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Etymology

Origin of Haganah

< Modern Hebrew hagana literally, defense, Hebrew həgannāh

Example Sentences

Senesh connected with the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization that had been formed to protect Jews in the British Mandate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

“What happened in Galilee—those are Nazi acts!” read a 1948 report about a briefing given by Israel Galili, the former Haganah chief.

From Slate • May 15, 2024

There he joined the Haganah, the paramilitary organisation fighting the British to set up the state of Israel.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2024

In the movie, the Haganah militia, a predecessor to the Israel Defense Forces, advances on Farha’s village.

From Washington Post • Jan. 23, 2023

We were told that the supplies would soon be on a ship heading for Palestine and would be used by the Haganah.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok