01In brief
The Tzrifin Underground was an Israeli terrorist underground organization that called itself the Kingdom of Israel and was led by Yaakov Heruti, a former member of Lehi. It was blamed for the February 9, 1953, bombing of the Soviet Union’s diplomatic outpost in Tel Aviv, where 70 pounds of explosives injured a Soviet diplomat and the wives of two other diplomats. Heruti denied responsibility, and the Israeli government lacked proof of the group’s involvement. The organization was among the underground groups monitored by the Israel Security Agency during the 1950s.
02Background
The Kingdom of Israel was led by former Lehi member Yaakov Heruti and was publicly known as the Tzrifin Underground.[1] The organization was also known as the “Tsrifin Underground.”[2]
During the 1950s, the Israel Security Agency focused largely on internal subversion in the Jewish sector and monitored the Kingdom of Israel among other underground organizations.[2]
03Course of Events
On February 9, 1953, a bomb exploded in the garden of the Soviet Union’s diplomatic outpost in Tel Aviv.[1] The blast involved 70 pounds of explosives, damaged the building, and injured one Soviet diplomat and the wives of two others.[1]
The Soviet Union broke off diplomatic relations with Israel a few days after the explosion.[1] In an official statement, it accused the Israeli police of “obvious connivance” in the bombing; this was a Soviet allegation, not an independently established finding.[1] Protests and counterdemonstrations in Tel Aviv on the day of the diplomatic break led to brawls.[1]
04Aftermath
Heruti and other members received prison sentences ranging from one to 12 years for other attacks and plots and for the danger they posed to state security.[1] Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion commuted their sentences after two years.[1]
During the diplomatic break, the Netherlands represented Israeli interests in Moscow.[1] Israel and the Soviet Union announced the resumption of diplomatic relations on July 21, 1953, with Israel promising to find and punish the bombers.[1]
05Historiography and Disputed Attribution
The Kingdom of Israel was blamed for the Soviet diplomatic bombing, but Heruti denied involvement and the Israeli government lacked proof of the organization’s responsibility.[1]
A June 1957 prosecution case accused Heruti of organizing a terrorist organization between April 25, 1955, and March 10, 1957. Prosecutors also alleged that former members of the Sarafand group had resumed underground activity in 1954–1955 and recruited younger members. These claims were prosecution allegations rather than established court findings in the contemporary report.[3]
Sources
- 1Center for Israel Education, Soviet Embassy Bombed in Tel Aviv, accessed on November 12, 2026.
- 2Israel Security Agency (Shabak), Heritage Timeline, accessed on November 12, 2026.
- 3Internet Archive, Full text of "The Jerusalem Post 1957-06-28: Vol 33 Iss 8848", accessed on November 12, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
What was the Tzrifin Underground?
The Tzrifin Underground was an Israeli terrorist underground organization that called itself the Kingdom of Israel and was led by Yaakov Heruti, a former member of Lehi. It was among the underground groups monitored by the Israel Security Agency during the 1950s.
What happened in the 1953 bombing of the Soviet diplomatic outpost in Tel Aviv?
On February 9, 1953, a bomb involving 70 pounds of explosives exploded in the garden of the Soviet Union’s diplomatic outpost in Tel Aviv, damaging the building. One Soviet diplomat and the wives of two other diplomats were injured.
Did the Tzrifin Underground carry out the bombing?
The Tzrifin Underground was blamed for the bombing, but Yaakov Heruti denied involvement and the Israeli government lacked proof of the organization’s responsibility. The Soviet Union also accused the Israeli police of “obvious connivance” in an official statement; this was a Soviet allegation, not an independently established finding.
How did the Soviet Union respond to the bombing?
The Soviet Union broke off diplomatic relations with Israel a few days after the explosion. During the break, the Netherlands represented Israeli interests in Moscow. Israel and the Soviet Union announced the resumption of diplomatic relations on July 21, 1953, with Israel promising to find and punish the bombers.
What happened to Yaakov Heruti and other members of the underground?
Yaakov Heruti and other members received prison sentences ranging from one to 12 years for other attacks and plots and for the danger they posed to state security. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion commuted their sentences after two years.
What did prosecutors allege about Yaakov Heruti in 1957?
A June 1957 prosecution case accused Yaakov Heruti of organizing a terrorist organization between April 25, 1955, and March 10, 1957. Prosecutors also alleged that former members of the Sarafand group had resumed underground activity in 1954–1955 and recruited younger members. These were prosecution allegations, not established court findings in the contemporary report.