Jewish WWII ‘Avenger’ Joseph Harmatz dead at 91

Holocaust survivor Joseph Harmatz, who led the most daring attempt by Jews to seek revenge against their former Nazi tormentors, has died. He was 91.

His son, Ronel Harmatz, confirms the death.

Joseph Harmatz sits in his apartment in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo /Tsafrir Abayov)
Joseph Harmatz sits in his apartment in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo /Tsafrir Abayov)

Harmatz was one of the few remaining Jewish “Avengers” who carried out a mass poisoning of former SS officers in an American prisoner-of-war camp in 1946 that sickened more than 2,200 Germans, but caused no known deaths. The message echoed into a rallying cry for the newborn state of Israel.

Harmatz, who lost most of his family in the Holocaust, spoke to The Associated Press shortly before his death and remained unapologetic for his actions.

After the war, Harmatz worked at the Jewish Agency and was director general of World ORT, a Jewish educational organization.

— AP

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.