MV Struma

The MV Struma was a small, aging, and unseaworthy Romanian ship chartered to carry Jewish refugees from Axis-aligned Romania to Mandatory Palestine in December 1941. The voyage was organized by Zionist groups seeking to rescue Jews from persecution.

The ship departed Constanța, Romania on December 12, 1941, carrying approximately 769 passengers, including women and children, far exceeding its capacity. The Struma was plagued by mechanical problems from the start, and its engine broke down in Istanbul harbor.

Turkish authorities, under pressure from both the Allies and the Axis powers, refused to allow the Struma to disembark its passengers. The British government, concerned about setting a precedent that would encourage further refugee voyages to Palestine, also pressured Turkey not to allow the refugees to enter. After weeks of negotiations and repairs, which proved largely ineffective, Turkish authorities towed the Struma back out into the Black Sea on February 23, 1942.

Shortly thereafter, the Struma exploded and sank, killing nearly all on board. Only one passenger, David Stoliar, survived. The cause of the explosion remains a subject of debate, but it is widely believed that the ship was torpedoed by a Soviet submarine, likely unaware of the ship's identity due to wartime conditions. However, the Soviets never officially admitted responsibility.

The sinking of the Struma became a symbol of the indifference and bureaucratic obstacles faced by Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. The tragedy highlighted the complexities of international politics, the limitations of humanitarian aid, and the devastating consequences of restrictive immigration policies during World War II. The event continues to be remembered and commemorated as a significant and tragic chapter in Holocaust history.