Yolande Harmer
Yolande Harmer (born Yolande Gabbai, Hebrew: יולנדה הארמר; 1913–1959) was an Israeli intelligence officer who operated in Egypt in 1948. She was recruited due to her connections in elite and royal circles[1] and she has been described as "Israel's Mata Hari".[2][3][4] A town square in Jerusalem, 'Yolande Harmer Square', is named after her.
Biography
Yolande Gabai (later Harmer and Har-Mor) was born in
Espionage career
Harmer was recruited by
When the Swedish envoy to Egypt, Widar Bagge, fell in love with her, she swayed him to sympathize with the Zionist struggle for self-determination and the freedom of the Jewish people. Eli Peleg, a Yishuv emissary in Cairo, reported Harmer's success with Bagge: "Several months ago he was indifferent to our cause, but today he is an enthusiastic Zionist."[3] The assassination of Folke Bernadotte in September 1948, however, made Bagge's enthusiasm cool again.[6]
Harmer provided the Yishuv with important strategic information, including the texts of resolutions adopted by the
However, delivering the information she gathered was problematic: She had a radio transmitter, but no-one to operate it for her. She sent the information using mail services via Europe or the United States, but precious time was often lost.[3] During her work in Egypt she often risked not only her own life, but the life of her son.[8]
In July 1948, Harmer was arrested. In August, after falling ill in jail, she was released and
Harmer died of cancer in Jerusalem in 1959.[2][3][9]
References
- ^ Teddy Kollek: the man, his times and Jerusalem Gefen, 25 August 2008, page 21
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8108-5953-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8021-3286-4.
- ISBN 9780394501451.
- ISBN 978-0-8021-3286-4.
- SELIBR 12348349.
- ISBN 978-0-8021-3286-4.
- ^ "Yolande an Unsung Heroine". wolmandan.com.
- ^ Livia Bitton-Jackson (17 May 2013). "Yolande Gabai Harmer: Israel's Secret Heroine". Jewish Press. Retrieved 17 May 2016.