A century on, charge of the Australian light cavalry remembered in Israel
Members of the Australian Light Horse Association take part in a re-enactment of the famous World War One cavalry charge known as the "Battle of Beersheba", as part of events marking it's centenary, in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
BEERSHEBA, Israel (Reuters) - An "Australian light horse brigade" of history enthusiasts rode through the Israeli desert town of Beersheba on Tuesday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of a World War One cavalry charge that helped reshape the Middle East.
The victory by the Australia and New Zealand Corps (ANZAC) in the Battle of Beersheba, a biblical town in what was Ottoman Palestine in 1917, broke a strategic Turkish defense line and led to the conquest of the Holy Land by British imperial forces.
Members of the Australian Light Horse Association take part in a re-enactment of the famous World War One cavalry charge known as the "Battle of Beersheba", as part of events marking it's centenary, in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Dozens of history buffs, including descendents of the soldiers of the 4th Brigade of the Australian Light Horse, the cavalry force that charged the Turkish positions, came to Beersheba to parade on horseback through the streets and stage a re-enactment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at a memorial ceremony in the city also attended by his Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, and New Zealand Governor-General Patsy Redding, said the Oct. 31 battle was an important part of a history line that led to Israel's creation in 1948.
The victory in Beersheba was followed two days later by a British government endorsement of "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people".
Members of the Australian Light Horse Association take part in a re-enactment of the famous World War One cavalry charge known as the "Battle of Beersheba", as part of events marking it's centenary, in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Palestinians have long condemned the Balfour Declaration - named after Arthur Balfour, then the British foreign secretary - as a promise by Britain to hand over land that it did not own.
But Israelis celebrate it as one of the key moments in creating the modern state of Israel.
"Exactly 100 years ago, brave ANZAC soldiers liberated Beersheba for the sons and daughters of Abraham and opened the gateway for the Jewish people to re-enter the stage of history. The heroism of your fallen men will never be forgotten," Netanyahu said.
Members of the Australian Light Horse Association hold Australian and Israeli flags as they ride horses during a cavalry parade as part of events marking the centenary of the "Battle of Beersheba", in Beersheba's Old City, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
Hundreds of Turkish soldiers and 31 Australian troops were killed in the cavalry charge, part of a campaign to capture Beersheba and water resources in the town, whose Hebrew name refers to a well claimed by the Patriarch Abraham in Genesis.
"The Australian Light Horse were not meant to fight on horseback - they were mounted infantry, and they were to ride to the battle, dismount. One man would hold the horses, three others would go in and fight like infantry," Turnbull said at the memorial ceremony.
But as water was short, they had no choice but to push for a quick victory, he said, describing the attack as "the last great cavalry charge in history".
People wave Australian and Israelis flags as members of the Australian Light Horse Association ride pass them during a cavalry parade as part of events marking the centenary of the "Battle of Beersheba", in Beersheba's Old City, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
(Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they pose with two Australians wearing uniforms from the 4th Australian Light Horse Brigade from World War One, during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolAustralian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take part in a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolAustralian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara stand before a bronze statue of a horse and an Australian soldier in the newly opened ANZAC Museum during events marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/Pool.Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chat at a dedication ceremony for the opening of the ANZAC Museum during events marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolOnlookers watch as members of the Australian Light Horse Association ride horses during a cavalry parade as part of events marking the centenary of the "Battle of Beersheba", in Beersheba's Old City, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Ronen ZvulunAn Australian wears a World War One uniform as he walks among graves during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolKathleen Niku, wearing New Zealand military uniform, performs a prayer during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolAustralian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and wife Sara and New Zealand Governor-General Patsy Reddy applaud as an Australian in World War One ANZAC uniform observes a moment of silence during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolNew Zealand Governor General Patsy Reddy, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lay wreaths at the memorial, during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolNew Zealand Governor General Patsy Reddy, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lay wreaths at the memorial, during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/PoolAustralian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara and New Zealand's Governor-General Patsy Reddy stand as a female Australian naval soldier approaches a memorial for the fallen, during a ceremony marking the centenary of "The Battle of Beersheba", at the British War Cemetery in Beersheba, Israel October 31, 2017. REUTERS/Jim Hollander/Pool
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