The Betar Movement (בית"ר, also spelled Beitar) was founded in 1923 in Riga, Latvia, by Zionist leader Ze'ev Jabotinsky. The Movement quickly established a reputation as the premier activist Zionist youth organization, a position that it has maintained to this day. Betar members played vital roles in the fight with the British Mandate and the creation of Israel.

During World War II, Betar members, former Polish officers, founded Zydowski Zwiazek Walki (Jewish Fighting Union) which fought in Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

The name Betar בית"ר stands for "Brit Yosef Trumpeldor" ( ברית יוסף תרומפלדור ). Joseph Trumpeldor was an Jewish fighter who fell over the battle of Tel Hai coining the phrase: "Never mind, it is good to die for our country". Jabotinsky also wanted to connect the name of the first jewish fighter after 2000 years to the name of the last fort of jewish uprising against the Roman Empire in the Bar Kokhba's revolt, showing betar intent to create a new generation of jewish warriors.

Many of Israel's most prominent public figures have been graduates of the Movement, including former Prime Ministers Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir and former Defence Minister Moshe Arens.

Today, the Betar Movement is primarily involved in Jewish and Zionist activism and has chapters worldwide.

In France, members of the Betar have clashed with pro-Arab supporters. The Betar offices were bombed by the leftist FLNC , a Corsican militant organization. Also, members of Betar assaulted the anti-globalisation activist José Bové upon his return from a protest in Ramallah.

Betar sponsors sports clubs, the most notable is the popular Beitar Jerusalem football (soccer) club.

External link

• World Betar Web site