The Irgun, formally known as the National Military Organization in the Land of Israel, was a Jewish paramilitary group active from 1931 to 1948. It aimed to establish a Jewish state in Palestine and operated during the British Mandate. The organization was known for its armed resistance against British rule and its involvement in various attacks, including the controversial bombing of the King David Hotel in 1946. Irgun was founded by members who believed in a more militant approach to achieving Jewish independence, differing from the more moderate Haganah. It played a significant role in the events leading up to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, eventually merging with other groups to form the Israel Defense Forces.