Street Names Of Jerusalem: Patterson Street (Irish Born Zionist)
Update: 2023-12-31
Description
Patterson Street is an inconspiuous alleyway running between Emek Refaim Street and Derekh Beit Lekhem (Bethlehem Road) abutting the modern luxury Orient Hotel.
It is named after John Henry Patterson, an Irish-born non-Jewish Zionist who had a storied career serving in the British Army where his escapades included fighting off man-eating lions in Kenya.
Patterson's Jewish connection came when he served as the Commander of the Jewish Legion - a group called 'the first Jewish fighting force in 2,000 years.'
Patterson was friendly with Prime Minister Netanyahu's late father, historian Benzion Netanyahu, as well as Jabotinsky and other notable Zionists.
He sacrificed his upward promotion in the British Army for threatening to resign over the mistreatment of his Jewish troops.
Patterson died in California at the age of 79. Following a lengthy process, his remains were re-interred in Israel, at the Avihayil Cemetery, thereby fulfilling his lifelong wish to be buried alongside the troops he once commanded.
His story, and that of many other non-Jewish Zionists, is told in more detail at the Friends of Zion Museum in central Jerusalem.
Three Hollywood movies have been made about his escapades in Africa:
Much more about John Henry Patterson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Patterson_(author)
It is named after John Henry Patterson, an Irish-born non-Jewish Zionist who had a storied career serving in the British Army where his escapades included fighting off man-eating lions in Kenya.
Patterson's Jewish connection came when he served as the Commander of the Jewish Legion - a group called 'the first Jewish fighting force in 2,000 years.'
Patterson was friendly with Prime Minister Netanyahu's late father, historian Benzion Netanyahu, as well as Jabotinsky and other notable Zionists.
He sacrificed his upward promotion in the British Army for threatening to resign over the mistreatment of his Jewish troops.
Patterson died in California at the age of 79. Following a lengthy process, his remains were re-interred in Israel, at the Avihayil Cemetery, thereby fulfilling his lifelong wish to be buried alongside the troops he once commanded.
His story, and that of many other non-Jewish Zionists, is told in more detail at the Friends of Zion Museum in central Jerusalem.
Three Hollywood movies have been made about his escapades in Africa:
Much more about John Henry Patterson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Patterson_(author)
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