Exodus

Exodus is a 1958 novel by Leon Uris that chronicles the struggle to establish and defend the state of Israel. The story begins in post-World War II Cyprus, where Jewish refugees are prevented from entering Palestine by British forces. The protagonist, Ari Ben Canaan, a member of the Zionist military organization Haganah, works to secure passage for these refugees to Palestine.12

The novel depicts the political turmoil and conflict surrounding the creation of Israel, including tensions between Jewish groups and Palestinian Arabs, as well as between the Haganah and the militant Irgun Zvai Leumi. Uris conducted extensive research for the novel, interviewing over 1,500 people. Exodus became an international best-seller and was adapted into a 1960 film.21