The story of a historic voyage
In the summer of 1947 an old river boat packed tight with 4,500 Jewish refugees on board sailed from the South of France in an attempt to run the British blockade and land illegally on the shores of what was then Palestine. The voyage of that ship, Exodus 47 as it was renamed, is now recognised as one of the most successful propaganda coups of all time. The plight of the people on board was real enough. The role of the British forces whose job it was to stop them was difficult and distasteful.
The refugees spent two torrid months shuttling back and forward from France to Palestine - where they spent a few hours - to France - where they refused to land - and finally back to refugee camps.
In tonight's documentary, Israeli and British people recall an incident which many claim led directly to the establishment of the State of Israel just 25 years ago in May 1948.
Narrated by William Dexter

(Colour)