Editing Jewish Legion (section)

== Jabotinsky ==
One of the most prominent figures supporting the activist line was Jabotinsky, who knew the Ottoman Empire and so predicted that its days were numbered during the war, which would impact the future governance of Palestine. He argued that the Jews should openly support Britain and help its military efforts to capture the [[Land of Israel]].
[[File:Israeli volunteers British WWI.jpg|thumb|220px|Jewish volunteers from Palestine joining the British Army, 1918]]
In 1915, Jabotinsky arrived at Camp Jabari, near [[Alexandria]], where 1,200 Jews who had been expelled from Palestine by the Ottomans or fled by the harsh living conditions gradually gathered, along with [[Joseph Trumpeldor]]. Jabotinsky presented his ideas for establishing a Jewish military unit. On 18 [[Adar]] 5675 (February 18, 1915), a document was drafted stating the decision to establish a Jewish battalion and offering its services to the [[British Army]] for the conquest of Palestine. The document bore 100 signatures, with the first being those of Ze'ev Gluskin, Jabotinsky, and Trumpeldor. Subsequently, they began negotiations with various elements within the British army and government.

=== Opposition to establishment of the battalions ===
After numerous negotiations, the British partially agreed to the initiative, and a Jewish unit was formed with volunteers from the exiles in [[Egypt]]. Its purpose was set as a transport unit on the [[Gallipoli campaign|Gallipoli front]], in [[Turkey]]. The means of transport of that time gave the unit its name: the "Zion Mule Corps". However, its activities were not connected to Palestine, as Britain did not yet plan to attack there.

Several bodies and groups opposed the establishment of the battalions, and some actively tried to stop their formation:
* Anti-Zionist or non-Zionist Jews, particularly assimilated British Jews who feared that emphasizing Jewish nationality through the battalions would harm their status among the British.
* The leadership of the Zionist Organization, including figures like [[Nahum Sokolow]] and others in [[London]], who aimed to maintain neutrality.
* [[Ahad Ha'am]] and others who saw the main role of Zionism in spiritual activity.
* Part of the labor camp in Palestine, especially members of [[Hapoel Hatzair]], believed that the land should be acquired through labour, not war, and therefore opposed the establishment of the battalions and oining them.