Handmade sports medal for the winner of a long jump competition at the Asmara camp. Hanukkah 5707 (1947). A unique item in the world.
Obverse: Engraving of a long jumper and the inscription: “Hanukkah 1947.”
Reverse: The inscription: “Long Jump, 2nd place, Camp Athletics Championship.”
Attached at the top by two threads to a wooden strip with the inscription: “Exile in Asmara.”
Between 1944-1948, some members of the Irgun (Etzel) and Lehi were forcibly deported in 12 transports to detention camps in Africa. One of the camps they were deported to was Sambel, near Asmara (the capital of Eritrea). In the camp, sports competitions were held among the exiles, who were divided according to their cities of origin in Eretz Israel. The winning medals were handmade by the exiles in the camp.
The first prize in the competition was the cup known as the ‘Gallows Cup, ‘ donated by the exiles from Petah Tikva in memory of their friends who were hanged in Acre prison. The exiles were returned to their homeland two months after the establishment of the State of Israel, in July 1948—on July 9, the ship carrying the exiles sailed to Israel and arrived three days later. They were not received in a state ceremony and quickly headed to the battlefields of the War of Independence.
Diameter of the medal: 3.5 cm. The pendant’s full length: 7 cm. Very good condition.
