Nationalism Beyond Borders: Betar as a Jewish Political Identity in Istanbul

This study examines the development and activities of the global Betar movement in the Turkish Republic, situating it within the broader context of a Revisionist Zionism movement. Utilising a qualitative methodology that incorporates archival research and document analysis, the paper traces Betar’s origins, ideological foundations, and operational strategies from its establishment in Istanbul in the early 1930s through its gradual transition into a semi-clandestine emigration and educational network by the late 1960s. The research highlights how Betar Istanbul maintained ideological continuity with the revisionist Zionist vision despite challenges. Key findings illustrate Istanbul’s importance for the Betar and its dual role as a vehicle for Zionist education and Aliyah (migration), its hierarchical and disciplined organisational structure, and its enduring symbolic commitment to principles such as Hadar (dignity) and Mishmaat (discipline). While archival documents reflect that Betar was active in many countries at the same time, this article only concentrates on the Turkish/Istanbul dimension. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the construction of Jewish political identity beyond borders, revealing how diaspora communities adapted transnational Zionist frameworks to local social, political, and cultural conditions and served their mission.