Cpl. Ido is a soldier in the Israeli Navy, serving in the “Snapir” unit, which protects Israel’s ports. He’s also gay and a proud member of the LGBT community. In honor of the International Day Against Homophobia, he agreed to
Every week, Palesitnians try to smuggle weapons or explosives through the crossings in Judea and Samaria. The soldiers at these crossings are in a bind: the person in front of them could be innocently seeking entry into Israel, or they could
Yossi Käyhkö moved to Israel from Sweden when he was 19 years old and joined the Israel Defense Forces. He’s agreed to answer a few questions about his experiences as a new immigrant in Israel and a soldier in the
On May 8, 1972, a flight from Belgian airline Sabena set off from Vienna towards Tel Aviv, named Flight 571. Twenty minutes after takeoff, it was hijacked by four terrorists from the Black September terror group.
Every IDF soldier, no matter what his or her job in the army will be, must go through basic training. These first weeks in the IDF can be frustrating and tiring, but they are essential for helping new recruits make
Every IDF soldier remembers his first day in the army… but no one remembers his first day as well as Sgt. Ephraim Dissen — the only soldier who enlisted to the Nahal Brigade twice.
Are you a new immigrant to Israel who wants to draft to the IDF? Daunted by the bureaucracy and impossible Hebrew? That’s where Private Leron Ergas comes in. The 27-year-old from Los Angeles, California is the IDF coordinator for new
Today, 23 years ago, Cpl. Ilan Saadon was hitchhiking on a road near his base. Hamas terrorists abducted him and headed for the Gaza Strip. They killed him during the ride. His body was buried in the area of Palmachim;
Guest post by Captain Jameel Murad, a company commander of new recruits in the Sword (‘Herev’) Battalion, comprised entirely of Druze soldiers: Every Druze child gets to hear about the Sword Battalion from birth, through the stories told by our
Every year, thousands of soldiers — from Israel and all around the world — join the Israel Defense Forces. The one thing that nearly all IDF soldiers have in common is their draft day experience. What’s the first day like?