The Hadassah Convoy annual memorial ceremony will take place on Apr 7 at Hadassah Mt. Scopus Hospital to commemorate 63 years since the battle.
The Hadassah Convoy Story
In early 1948, before the establishment of the State of Israel, Jerusalem was under siege, and the only access to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital and the nearby Hebrew University Campus, was by way of armored convoys driving through Arab neighborhoods.
In the beginning of April, the Hospital lacked equipment and personal, and needed urgent supplies and man-power.
In the morning of April 13th, a medical convoy, which included physicians, medical students, nurses, patients, family members and lecturers, left downtown Jerusalem on its way to the Mt. Scopus.
At 9:45, the leading vehicle was hit by a mine in the curve of a street in Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, and the convoy was attacked by Arabs. Five vehicles managed to escape, but the armored vehicle, an ambulance and two buses were trapped, hit by the fire of machine guns that didn't stop, although the besieged passengers waived a white flag. The shooting caused the gasoline to leak from the vehicles, setting them on fire with the passengers trapped inside.
It took another seven hours before the rest of the convoy was rescued.
78 people died in the battle, among them – Dr. Chaim Yassky, Director of Hadassah Medical Organization.