Issue 148 (2021)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2021.148.11

"JEWISH MILITIA" AS THE THIRD SIDE BETWEEN UKRAINIAN AND POLISH ARMED FORCES DURING THE BATTLE FOR LEMBERG OF NOVEMBER 1-21, 1918

The article is devoted to the activities of the militia created by the Jewish community of Lviv on November 1, 1918 after the proclamation of the independent Ukrainian state in this city. The aim of the militia, initiated by supporters of the Zionist movement, was to protect the Jewish community in Lviv from possible pogroms. Particular attention is paid to the military-political situation in Lviv in November 1918 and in the Eastern European region in general, which had a decisive influence on the establishment of the Jewish militia. Emphasised is also placed on the positive attitude of the Jewish community to the armed conflict between the army of the Western Ukrainian People's Republic and Polish formations who denied the right of Ukrainians to their independent nation-state and who expressed their claims to Western Ukraine. It is emphasized that de jure declaring its neutrality in this conflict, the de facto Jewish militia were forced to take a direct part in this confrontation. This Jewish militia formation controlled a very large part of Lviv's quarters, which was objectively beneficial for both participants in the Ukrainian-Polish conflict. Militioners patrolled the streets, fought crime, and ensured public order. The article describes in detail the three groups that existed at that time in the Lviv Jewish community – Zionists, Orthodox and assimilators, and the main differences in their policies. In particular, in relation to other nations that lived in the western Ukrainian region – Ukrainians and Poles. Special emphasis is placed on the positive attitude of a large part of Lviv Jews to the Ukrainian government and the negative reaction to this commitment of chauvinistic Polish politicians and soldiers, who did not hide their anti-Semitism and demanded from Jews non-alternative loyalty to Poland. It is noted that the more favorable attitude of Lviv Jews to the Ukrainian authorities was the cause of the terrible Jewish pogrom committed by Polish forces after the Ukrainian army left Lviv on November 22, 1918.

Keywords: Eastern Galicia, ZUNR, Lviv, Ukrainian-Polish war of 1918–1919, Jews, anti-Semitism, Ukraine.

Submitted: 15.02.2021