Friends of LIBI
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • LEADERSHIP
  • NEWS
  • PROGRAMS
  • CONTACT
Select Page

The History of Israel with IDF Photos

by jshyman123 | Mar 4, 2015 | lists | 0 comments

To be a pilot in the Israeli Air Force is notoriously one of the most difficult positions in the Army. Out of the thousands who apply to be pilots, only a small minority complete the pilots course and they are considered to be the elite in the Israeli Army. This picture is of graduates of the pilot's course, a long and gruelling process, but one that shows the incredible dedication of the the Israeli youth, who are willing to devote years of their life for the benefit of the country.

The Holocaust is central to the history of the Jewish State. In a country full of survivors and citizens who have lost family members, the words 'never again' are extremely potent. The Israel Defense Forces ensures that this tragedy will not occur as the Jews have an army that protect them, wherever they may be. This emotional picture shows the Israeli Air Force flying over Auschwitz - the most deadly concentration camp, showing that the Jews will never be defenceless again.

This picture, taken in the early years of the state, shows a Bedouin serving in the Israeli army. The Bedouins are still active in the army today and famously serve in the scouting units, utilizing their history and understanding of desert terrain. Ismail Khaldi, the first Bedouin vice consul of Israel and the highest ranking Muslim in the Israeli foreign service, said about the Israeli Bedouin relationship, 'I am a proud Israeli – along with many other non-Jewish Israelis such as Druze, Bahai, Bedouin, Christians and Muslims, who live in one of the most culturally diversified societies and the only true democracy in the Middle East. Like America, Israeli society is far from perfect, but let us deals honestly. By any yardstick you choose—educational opportunity, economic development, women and gay's rights, freedom of speech and assembly, legislative representation—Israel's minorities fare far better than any other country in the Middle East.'

The second Lebanon war took place in 2006 and saw Israel come head to head with Hezbollah. This picture shows Israeli soldiers returing after the war, after a UN brokered ceasefire was agreed upon. President of America George Bush said that Hezbollah was responsible for starting the war, and that the group suffered a defeat at the hands of Israel and dismissed any claims of victory by Hezbollah.
Taken in 1962, this picture shows Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defense David Ben-Gurion with IDF Commander of the Jerusalem District Colonel Yossef Nevo and Mayor of Jerusalem Mordechai Ish-Shalom at an army post on the Jerusalem Border. During that year there were several attacks, most notably in the North of the country with Syria, and two terrorist attacks on buses in the South. The Israeli army are constantly on patrol and worked round the clock then, as they do now, preventing terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.

The six day war resulted in Israel winning an immense victory and gaining strategic land on the northern and the southern borders. Perhaps the most moving area conquered was the old city and the Western Wall (pictured). The Wall is central to the Jews and is a place where all Jews, of all levels of observance, come to pray.

The 1948 War of Independence saw Israel victorious over a joint invasion by Jordan, Egypt and Syria. Israel's army at that time was comprised of four units, the main one, Haganah (pictured), went on to form the core of the IDF. This picture shows Haganah members evacuating a wounded man in Tel Aviv following heavy Egyptian bombing.

Following the outbreak of war in 1948, there was full concription of all men aged 17 - 55. The Israeli army, Israel Defense Forces, was predominantly made up of Haganah fighters, and went on to win a miraculous victory over the mighty arab armies in the war of Independence.

Chana Senesh is famous in Israeli history for her heroic efforts to save Hungarian Jews during the Second World War. Part of the Haganah, which subsequently formed the bulk of the Israeli Defense Forces, Senesh was parachuted into Yugoslavia to join partisans, but was tragically captured, brutally tortured and murdered by the Germans. Senesh refused to reveal details of her mission and until this day, is considered a pillar of courage and a heroine.
download winrar 32 bit
This picture shows Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, Menachem Begin and several army notables watching an army parade in the Sinai in 1967. The picture was taken a few days after the six-day war, when Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, then Jordan and Syria. Within just six days, Israel captured some of the most important strategic areas including the Golan heights, East Jerusalem and the Sinai Peninsula. The war was a huge show of triumph for the Israeli army who, once again, stood strong at the hands of their arab neighbours attacking them on all sides.

Submit a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

  • Our 1984 Lone Soldier shares her story
  • Israeli forces fire warning shots after Lebanese troops cross the border
  • Tensions heat up between Iran and Israel
  • IDF Elite officer killed in Jenin gun battle
  • IDF launches most extensive war drill in decades

Archives

  • October 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • August 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • March 2011
  • April 2010
  • Follow

American Friends of LIBI is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization run by a network of volunteers.

When you donate to LIBI USA, over 95% of your donation goes directly to support Israeli soldiers.

Note new address: American Friends of LIBI, 2001 Beacon street suit 107, Brighton, MA 02135 | 617 738 0111 | 800 399 8467 | Fax:617 734 7914 | Email:info@friendsoflibi.org

©2021, LIBI USA. All rights reserved. Site designed by the Virtual Paintbrush.