The Burning Fire Of Geulah Cohen

The Burning Fire Of Geulah Cohen

Widely known for her passionate beliefs, Geulah Cohen was a true heroine of Israel.

Geulah Cohen died last night one week short of her 94th birthday.

President Rivlin eulogized her like this: 

“The burning fire of Geulah was extinguished tonight. A warrior for Israel’s freedom who was an inspiration to me and to all of us. Inspiration of power, of dedication, of love for a people for their country. We will walk in the light of this fire in the paths that she paved and in those that were paved through her powers and in her work – in the underground, in the activity for settlement and as a legislator and parliamentarian.”

The burning fire of Geulah.

A warrior for Israel’s freedom.

We will walk in the light of this fire.

What a life she led.

She was born in Tel Aviv on December 25, 1925 to a family which came from Yemen, Morocco, and Turkey.

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She studied at the Levinsky Teachers Seminary and received a Master’s degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in philosophy, literature, and Bible.

In 1942, at age 17, she joined the Irgun.

Geulah and Yitzhak Shamir in a photo that apparently wasn’t supposed to be taken. They were both on the British “most wanted” list.

In 1943, at age 18, she joined Lehi (the Stern Gang) and became its underground radio announcer.

In 1946, she was captured and arrested by the British in the midst of a broadcast from Tel Aviv.

Shortly afterward, she escaped from prison only to be recaptured by a group of Arabs.

On June 6, 1946, she was sentenced to seven years in prison based on charges of being captured with a wireless transmitter, 4 pistols, and ammunition. During her sentencing in court, she sang Hatikvah.

In 1947, she escaped from prison in Bethlehem, became editor of the Lehi newspaper Youth Front, and resumed her radio broadcasts.

A voice of inspiration, Geulah’s radio broadcasts are legendary. This photo was taken in 1948.

After the 1948 War of Independence, Geulah married her Lehi cohort, Emmanuel Hanegbi, and they had a son, Tzahi, who became (and still is) one of PM Netanyahu’s closest confidantes.

From 1961-1973, she wrote for and served on the editorial board of the Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv, and during these years befriended such people as Menachem Schneerson the Lubavitcher rabbi who headed Chabad (click here for a fascinating interview Geulah gave in 2008 about her meetings with the rabbi), and Meir Kahane whom she encouraged to focus on Jewish emigration from Russia.

In 1966, she wrote her autobiography: Woman of Violence: Memoirs of a Young Terrorist (1943-1948).

In 1972, Geulah joined Menachem Begin’s Herut Party and became one of the country’s most outspoken supporters of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.

In 1973, she was elected to the Knesset and was continuously reelected until 1992.

In 1980, she led the fight for the “Basic Law of Jerusalem” and shortly thereafter championed the “Golan Law” which led to extension of Israeli law over the Golan Heights.

In the early 1980s she became a vehement opponent of the Camp David Accords, and broke away from Begin to form the Tehiya Party–even moving to Yamit in the Sinai to try to stop Israel’s unilateral withdrawal.

From 1981-1992, she worked on many fronts in the Knesset where among many other things she founded the Lobby of MKs for Jonathan Pollard in 1987.

Geulah Cohen delivering one of her fiery addresses in the Knesset (photo Saar).

After leaving the Knesset in 1992, her fire burned more hotly than every. In December 1994, she moved to Kiryat Arba after a number of terrorist murders in the Hevron area.

In 2003, Geulah received the Israel Prize for her lifetime achievements to Israel, and in 2007 the Yakir Yerushalayim Award.

In 2005, Geulah fought vehemently against Ariel Sharon’s plan of disengagement from Gaza. 

In 2007, at age 82, she wrote the remarkable: Ein li koah lehiyot ayefa, which translates as “I don’t have the strength to be tired.”

In 2014, at age 89, she was one of the torchlighters in Israel’s annual Yom Atzmaut celebration.

She continued the fight for Israel right up until her death.

Geulah Cohen is gone. She will be forever missed, but President Rivlin is wrong–her fire has not been extinguished. Her fiery voice will be heard forever.