Palmach Museum — Attraction in Tel-Aviv

Growing up in the 70's/80's, I wasn' aware of the specifics of how Israel came into being. The attack by 5 Arab nations on the very day of Israel's founding was amazing to learn about. Even more astounding was the world's silence and inaction in response. Visiting the Palmach Museum and Independence Hall, and learning about the Palmach was a remarkable way to put the pieces together and understand how the scrappy, disparate remnants of the world's Jews that washed up on these shores, were able, finally, to take their destiny into their own hands.

Now I understand better the determination required to make this happen. I also understand better what makes Israeli's different - how each of them is responsible for their nation's security and well being. In the days of the Palmach, they were responsible, each of them, for it's birth. Fascinating to anyone interested in history, no matter your polical or religious perspective.

Visited...

You MUST have a pre-arranged reservation and your passport to get through security and pay the ₪30 entrance fee. There is only the timed, guided tour through the museum that has been built into a military facility.

The tour itself starts with a short speech from your guide, followed by a series of film projections in specially curated sets. The story follows a founding group's experiences through Independence and the subsequent Arab conflicts from the Isreali perspective as the Palmach transitions to the IDF.

There is also a large collection of photographic artifacts and a small Café. Often there are vetrans that visit at the end of the tour for...

It is a memory, an important one. Of blood and dreams, hopes, fights and scarifice.

Of young people and impossible choices. Of times we can't really imagine because they are so different than ours. But only at a casual glance, because these times and ours are not that different or distant.

It is the story of idealists, and rebels. The story of strategy, community, dreams and leaders. Of the center. Of the fence.

You should visit it at least once, but no more than twice. Because, twice is more than enough to see, hear, experience, think and remember.

More than enough to get...