Abstract:

While the developments in the world in the 20th century enabled the Zionist movement to gain strength and support, it also caused the Zionists to turn to Palestine with all their might. This movement, which influenced a part of the Ottoman Jewish community, was not only a theoretical knowledge, but also an ideology that turned into practice. Jews belonging to this movement, as well as in many other fields, carried out activities in the field of espionage and endeavored to establish the Jewish State. In this context, the activities of the spy Spira family in Palestine are important. The Spira family who were deciphered in a letter sent from Germany to the Ottoman Hague Embassy, engaged in political, economic and social as well as military activities in favor of Zionism in Palestine. However, this field of activity was not limited to Palestine but also spread to Germany, England and the Netherlands. The Spira family who started its espionage activities before the First World War, remained active throughout the war. It was understood that these activities continued until March 1918 and that they were neutralized by the operation of the intelligence units of the 4th Army. It also was understood that these activities continued until March 1918 and that they were neutralized by the operation of the intelligence units of the Ottoman 4th Army. In this study, the espionage activities of the Spira family who were organized in the Ottoman Empire and different countries during the First World War, were examined in the light of Ottoman archive documents.

Keywords: