The History of Israel

Presented by AmericAn Friends oF LibiPresented by AmericAn Friends oF Libi

www.friendsoflibi.org

The History of Israel

Dear Friends,

In the new year of 2014, the Israel Defense Forces will be facing a year of intense challenges and missions, a year in which your support of the IDF will be more vital than ever. The IDF faces renewed rocket fire from Gaza, shootings from Lebanon, and rising instability on the Syrian border. There's one thing these brave soldiers can rely upon: the support of LIBI USA. We give hope, encouragement and financial support so that the IDF soldiers will know they are not alone. The LIBI Fund is an an all-volunteer organization which works to care for Israel’s soldiers by sponsoring medical equipment, social and religious programs, as well as providing support to prepare the soldiers for life after the army.

I’m delighted to present this pictorial eBook which features vivid photographs of Israeli leaders at critical moments since 1948. Learn about the history of the Israeli-Arab conflict over the decades and appreciate the bravery of Israel's modern day heroes and heroines.

Join us and show your support of soldiers of the IDF. Visit www.friendsoflibi.org and make a donation today.

Best Wishes,

John A.I. Grossman, MDChairman, American Friends of LIBI

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.

Senior IDF staff and officials pictured in 1961

Israeli Air Force flying over Auschwitz

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.

The history of the Bedouins serving in the Israel Defense Forces

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 Bed-ouin vice consul of Israel and the highest ranking Muslim in the Is-raeli 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 op-portunity, 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.'

Israeli soldiers on their way back from the second Lebanon war

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.

David Ben Gurion and other Israeli notables on the Jerusalem border

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 first look at Israeli soldiers capturing the holy Western Wall in 1967

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.

Egyptian bombing of Israel in the War of Independence

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.

Forming the Israeli army in 1948

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.

Israeli Heroine Chana Senesh

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.

Israeli army parade in the Sinai after the Six Day War

Photo AlbumThe LIBI Fund sponsors programs to enhance the soldiers’ understanding for the unique history of the Jewish people and their special bond to the Land.

The LIBI Fund provides financial and social support for lone soldiers that have no families in Israel to provide for them.

The LIBI Fund provides financial and social support for families of fallen soldiers and for disabled soldiers.

The History of Israel