Midreshet Moriah
Midreshet Visits Ammunition Hill and Palmach Museum
A Trip Back in Time...
This week, Midreshet took a little break from learning to take in some Israeli history close by and, well, a little less close by. First we took a short ride over to the historic Jerusalem site called Ammunition Hill, site of one of the most crucial battles of the 1967 Six-Day War. As the tallest hill in the area, commanding the approach to the Old City, Mount Scopus, and other key sites in Eastern Jerusalem, Ammunition Hill was a key objective for the IDF forces, led by the Paratroopers. Once captured, the hill would provide a launching point for forces continuing into the West Bank, into areas such as Gush Etzion, Chevron, and other areas. Facing Jordanian soldiers who had had 19 years to prepare for this battle, digging trenches and building bunkers from which to fire, the Jewish soldiers walked uphill into the deadly crossfire in the middle of the night. Many individual stories of bravery and self-sacrifice paved the way for the eventual Israeli victory, and from there, the liberation of the Old City and the return of the West Bank to Jewish hands. We were especially lucky to hear from Gad Meir, today a grandfather but in 1967 one of the paratroopers who stormed the Hill with his friends and fellow soldiers. Gad came especially to share personal stories with us, and he helped us appreciate that the Jerusalem we so take for granted was won at the highest price.
From the Hill, we returned to the buses and took the trip to Tel Aviv to experience the Palmach Museum, which showcases the history of the Palmach ("Plugot Machatz," "Striker Force"), one of the earliest and deadliest fighting forces which served as the base from which the modern IDF sprung. The museum describes the development and training of the Palmach, despite British restrictions, and how it played a key and exciting role in the 1948 War of Independence. Instead of silent exhibits, the museum is built around the story of several individual male and female fighters, from their induction into the secret fighting force through their battles in the War, complete with mini-movies, sound and motion effects, and historical background. We came away appreciating how far Israel and the IDF have come, and with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices faced by earlier generations here in Israel.
