70 Years of the IDF

For Israel’s 70th anniversary, the Ministry of Defense revealed a rare collection of photographs from the establishment of the State of Israel which can be seen below..

People at the Tel Aviv beach watching the Altalena ship burning - June 6,1948

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

English soldiers conducting checkpoints on the mountain

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

New immigrants entering an abandoned Arab village with soldiers - 1950

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

The Givati Brigade participating in a parade. Pictured from right to left: IDF Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Yaakov Dori, Ben-Gurion, Major General Yigael Yadin, and Major General Yigal Allon - 1948

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

A ship of British soldiers, Israeli navy soldiers, and civilians departing from Israel. On the right is British High Commissioner Alan Cunningham - 1948

Photographer:Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

New immigrants arrive from Cyprus on the "Pan Yarok" ship while a train passes by and several people stand waiting on the dock - 1948

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

The Cavalry Unit of the Givati Brigade participating in a parade on Herzl Street - 1948

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

Givati Brigade participating in a parade as soldiers enter in a military vehicle - 1948  

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

Soldiers participating in a ceremony at a parade in Katamonim, Jerusalem in honor of Menachem Begin - 1948

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense

An immigrant family resting in a temporary accomodation

Photographer: Fred Chesnick, Courtesy of the IDF Archive of the Ministry of Defense