Captain of famed Exodus refugee ship dies at 86
Yitzhak Ahronovitch captained ship that attempted to take Holocaust survivors to Palestine in 1947.
By Eli Ashkenazi Tags: Holocaust Israel newsYitzhak Ike Ahronovitch, the captain of the Exodus ship whose attempt to take Holocaust survivors to Palestine built support for Israel's founding, has died, at 86.
The Exodus 1947 ship left France in July 1947 carrying more than 4,500 people - most of them Holocaust survivors and other displaced Jews - in a secret effort to reach Palestine. At the time, Britain controlled Palestine and was limiting the immigration of Jews.
The British navy seized the vessel off Palestine's shores, and after a battle on board that left three people dead, turned the ship and its passengers back to Europe, where the refugees were forced to disembark in Germany.
His daughter Leah said following his death "he never overcame the surrender of Exodus, and believed that they should have fought the British over it."
The ship's ordeal was widely reported worldwide, garnering sympathy for the refugees, especially because they were taken to Germany, where the Nazi murder of 6 million Jews during World War II originated.
It inspired a fictionalized account by American writer Leon Uris and a classic 1960 film directed by Otto Preminger and starring Paul Newman.
Newman's character was patterned after Yossi Harel, who commanded the Exodus mission as a leader of the Haganah pre-state Jewish armed force. Harel died last year.
Ahronovitch, who was nicknamed Ike, captained the ship. His daughter said the experience remained a pivotal part of his life for years afterward.
It was one of the most important things of his life. He wasn't a big storyteller, but he'd happily tell schoolchildren about it, she said. The Exodus influenced him and his friends deeply. Those were the days that defined them and as far as they were concerned defined the character of this country.
President Shimon Peres eulogized Aharonovitch and said that "Ike was unlike anyone else and no one was like Ike - a rare combination of pioneering, bravery and love for the people," said Peres.
"Exodus was the product of his very spirit, as he was not just a regular captain, but a captain who gave the voyage its character through amazing leadership skills" he added.
Aharonovitch, also known as Ike, died after a long illness, his daughter Ella said.
Ahronovitch was born in Poland in 1923 and moved to pre-state Israel 10 years later. He later worked with ships and always loved the sea, his daughter aid.
Ahronovitch is survived by two daughters, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His funeral is scheduled for Friday in northern Israel.
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He was a true hero may he rest in peace.
Many years ago but I am none the less deeply saddened by his passing. He was one of those 20th century brave individualists who sometimes were called to circumstances by fate or the hand of God and managed by their own gumption and sheer fearlessness to save lives. May his memory be forever blessed and may he always be remembered for his goodness and bravery on behalf of the Jewish people. Z"L
this is the jazz version of the theme from "Exodus" performed by Eddie Harris and Les McCann. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GbKHDnmFbY
One of the many glorious heroes that gave their all to the sacred mission of the rescue and Liberation of our People.Thank You and G-d Bless
Yup,when the British took over the area later called, the British Mandate of Palestine, they did so as the British were too prejudiced to bring themselves to use the Hebrew name and the phrase that the British usually used "The Holy Land" was too religious, so after centures of non-use, they revived the name that the Romans imposed as a name of punishment for the Jews. So "Pal", are you a descendant from one of those "indigeneous Palestinians" that came from Bosnia in 1882 to colonize Cesarea, from Syria after the 1910 famine etc?
Well yes, Pal. That is what this region was called in those days (including Jordan), as it was a British protectorate called the Manade of Palestine, a name given to thiis region by the Romans, and from where the Palestinians as we know them today get their name. The Palestinians adopted this name and not the other way round. Everyone in those days, Arabs and Jews, had a Palestinian passport. The Palestinian cricket team consisted entirely of Jewish players. The Jerusalem Post was then called the Palestine Post. So what's your point?
Yitzhak Ike Ahronovitch, the captain of the Exodus ship whose attempt to take Holocaust survivors to PALESTINE built support for Israel's founding, has died, at 86.
As if there was still any doubt after the Srinigar massacre or Dresden.
We've lost another great Zionist - may the world never forget what Zionism is all about. Am Yisrael Chai.