War of Independence

Holocaust survivor, Yom Kippur War hero Colonel Simcha Applebaum dies at 99

Having moved from the horrors of the Holocaust to dedicating his life to the revival of the Jewish state, his experiences are the essence of the story of the Jewish people in the 20th century.

Simcha Applebaum serving as deputy commander within the 188th Brigade.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visits the 36th Division in southern Lebanon, published April 29, 2026.

IDF Chief Zamir says current soldiers are greatest generation since War of Independence

The hat of Moshe Silberschmidt, the last commander of Gush Etzion, and the wool sweater of Palmach fighter and combat medic Uriel Ofek, April 21, 2026.

'Not just history': Belongings of Gush Etzion heroes to be publicly displayed for first time

Makeshift pistol built by 16-year-old Uzi Aharoni in 1948, to be displayed at the HaEmek Museum in the Galilee, northern Israel, April 21, 2026.

Makeshift pistol from Israel's War of Independence to be displayed at Ha'emek Museum for first time


Netanyahu honors fighters responsible for opening road to Jerusalem

The prime minister further announced grants for discharged soldiers, and particularly individual soldiers, since they are not entitled to unemployment benefits.

Jews crowd onto a British army armoured car as they celebrate in downtown Jerusalem the morning after the United Nations voted on November 29, 1947 to partition Palestine which paved the way for the creation of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948.

Celebrating a ‘Portrait of Victory’ for Israeli cinema

“It’s the 21st century, it’s no longer about good and bad guys. We’ve gone past that point. It’s about two conflicting narratives, each of which is searching for its own portrait of victory.”

Yadin Gellman and Joy Rieger shooting a scene from Avi Nesher’s ‘Portrait of Victory.’

President Rivlin eulogizes Irgun fighter Yair Assiskovitz

The late Irgun fighter, following his involvement in the 1948 War, would become one of the founders of the IDF's Department of Casualties.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin talks during a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus February 12, 2019.

The unknown story of smuggling weapons to help win Israel's independence

Never before have readers gotten such an inside look at some very feisty – but also courageous and noble – characters, who changed the course of history.

American Jews smuggling weapons to Israel used Panama's airline industry for cover

Wall collapse uncovers mural from Israeli War of Independence

A mural drawn by an Israeli soldier in the midst of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence was uncovered after a wall collapsed amid construction work in the city of Mevaseret Zion.

A JEWISH solider stands guard outside a building days after the British Mandate ended in 1948

Lost 1948 locket honoring deceased soldier to be returned to nephew

During renovation works in an apartment in Nachlaot, a locket carrying the name 'Eliaz' was found. Eliezer Zeltzer died in 1948. Four years later, his father founded a winery naming it after him.

A JEWISH solider stands guard outside a building days after the British Mandate ended in 1948

Jewish jams return

Legendary singer-songwriter Ariel Zilber will headline the revival of Aharit Hayamim – a religious reggae, rock concert with a connection to the 1948 War of Independence.

(FROM RIGHT) Yehuda Leuchter, Rafael Barkatz and Shmuel Caro of the band Aharit Hayamim rehearse in 2009.

Books: The spies of 1948 who helped win the war

Behind enemy lines at the birth of the Israeli secret service.

Matti Friedman, who grew up in Toronto and lives in Jerusalem, is an Israeli-Canadian journalist and author who is also an op-ed contributor to ‘The New York Times’

From the Editor: Captain Appel

His connection with Zionism was reinforced while serving in the Royal Scots Greys cavalry, when he was sent to Mandate Palestine to fight with a saber and rifle on horseback.

Derek Bowden at Tel Nof

Egyptian memorial in Israel in a state of disrepair

The monument was erected in 1989 following the Camp David Peace Treaty signed by the two sides.

Egyptian memorial to soldiers who died during Israel’s War of Independence in southern Israel