IDF field observer war rooms are spread across Israel’s borders, working 24/7. The soldiers and officers who operate the systems contained within know that the security of their entire sector often depends on their judgment calls. On October 7, dozens of field observers were killed by Hamas terrorists who broke into Israeli army outposts. This is the story of the IDF’s field observers – the eyes that protect Israel’s borders.
Those Who Dream of Givati: The Many Lives of the Purple Brigade
The IDF’s Givati Brigade came into being during Israel’s War of Independence, even before the Jewish state was officially established. This is the story of one of the Israeli army’s leading infantry brigades, and the famous fighting spirit bequeathed to it by its founder, Shimon “Givati” Avidan
When Israel Conquered Gaza for the First Time
During the conflict known as the Sinai Campaign, the State of Israel conquered the Gaza Strip. Military documents and rare color photographs reveal what this brief period of Israeli control of Gaza looked like – back in 1956
Not Only on the Front Lines
Over the last two weeks of war, IDF soldiers have been defending Israel with the utmost courage and heroism. But while many troops fight to protect Israel directly from the battlefield, most soldiers actually serve the State of Israel in a plethora of other integral ways: within the IDF, an entire world exists beyond the front lines…
“Hopefully, we’ll return soon”: Postcards From the Yom Kippur War Front
50 years ago, the Yom Kippur War didn’t spare the National Library of Israel, and employees were called to the front, serving many long months in reserve duty afterwards as well. During this period, they kept their Library colleagues up to speed on events, how they were doing, and how they hoped to get back to the finer things in life: “It’s good to see that there are still people dealing with catalogs and archives.”
“I did not commit treason, I committed suicide” – Uri Ilan’s Secret Notes
The story of the captured soldier who chose to end his life for fear of revealing secrets to the enemy
Moshe Dayan: A Life in Pictures
The Israeli general and politician Moshe Dayan was one of the most iconic and photogenic figures in the country’s history. We dove into the National Library collections and selected a handful of pictures that captured both historic and personal moments in his eventful life
Yitzhak Rabin’s First Peace Negotiation (and Necktie)
The twentysomething officer had never been abroad nor worn a suit
