Struma Affair

   In December 1941, a cattle boat was purchased by Zionists for the purpose of smuggling Jews into Palestine. Approximately 769 immigrants from Romania set sail with the hope that they would successfully challenge the British ban on immigration into the region. The British intercepted the ship before it left port and announced that they would not allow the passengers to reach their destination. Nevertheless, the Struma set sail but broke down and barely reached the port of Istanbul. The British pressured the Turkish government not to allow the passengers to leave the ship or to supply it with fuel, food, and other necessities. Subsequently, the ship was hastily repaired and dragged out into the Black Sea. The ship’s engines again broke down, and a day later on 23 February 1942 the Struma exploded, leading to the drowning of 768 Jews with only one survivor.

   Theories abound in regard to the responsibility for the explosion. One view holds that the Struma was hit by a torpedo sent by a Soviet or German submarine. Another theory argues that the ship was hit by a naval mine. The fate of the Struma also marked the termination of illegal immigration into Palestine until the end of the war.

   See also White Paper Of 1939; Yishuv.