4 non-Jews who helped establish the modern State of Israel, protected Jewish lives

Orde Charles Wingate

Major Orde Charles Wingate was a British soldier and a senior officer who is credited with shaping Israel’s pre-state military. The Friends of Zion included Wingate in its “Hall of the Brave” exhibit, dedicated to those who helped with the formation of the defense forces that would assist with establishing the State of Israel.

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Wingate was a devout Christian who firmly believed that Israel is the homeland of the Jews. In 1936, Wingate was promoted to the rank of captain, and he was transferred to Eretz Yisrael, where he would serve for three years. During his time there, Wingate trained and organized Special Night Squads to counter attacks from bands of Arab rioters. 

While the military officer’s support for Israel eventually resulted in the British transferring him from Eretz Yisrael in 1939. Many of those Wingate trained, however, would later become members of the Israel Defense Forces.