Joseph Harmatz dead: Leader of Jewish WWII 'avengers' dies aged 91
'We didn't understand why it shouldn't be paid back'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The man responsible for one of the most ambitious attempts to get revenge on the Nazis in the wake of the Second World War, Joseph Harmatz, has died at the age of 91.
The Holocaust survivor remained unapologetic to the end for a plot to poison 2,200 German prisoners of war in 1946, which sickened many but killed none.
Mr Harmatz lost most of his family in the Holocaust but his son, Ronel Harmatz, confirmed the death on Monday.
The mass poisoning of former SS officers at an American prisoner-of-war camp by a band known as the Jewish "Avengers" would become a rallying cry for the fledgling state of Israel.
Mr Harmatz was one of the few remaining of the group which carried it out, who codenamed the operation Nakam, Hebrew for vengeance.
Speaking to the Associated Press not long before his death, Mr Harmatz recalled how the band of 50-or-so resistance fighters could not let go of he crimes committed in the war.
"We didn't understand why it shouldn't be paid back," he said.
The group set out with a simple mission - to "kill Germans," Harmatz said flatly. How many? "As many as possible," he quickly replied.
After the war, Mr Harmatz worked at the Jewish Agency and was director general of World ORT, a Jewish educational organisation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments