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

He said his father also belonged to Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization.

From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2023

In April, Tiberias, Haifa, and Safed were occupied by the Haganah, and the Irgun, with the help of the Haganah, captured Jaffa.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok