On top of a hill, overlooking the wide Hefer Valley and the Sharon, stands an impressively beautiful structure, housing the Beit Hagdudim (Battalions Museum) Museum. The museum was established at moshav Avichail in 1961 by veterans of the Hebrew battalions (gdudim) of the First World War and it presents Jewish courage and volunteering. Moshav itself was also established by veterans of the Hebrew battalions. During the two world wars Jews from Land of Israel and the diaspora joined the British Army to fight for the Land of Israel. They struggled to bear a Hebrew symbol on their uniforms and practically designed the base on which the Israel Defence Forces were later established. Among the Hebrew warriors were central figures in the history of the Jewish settlement: David Ben-Gurion, Joseph Trumpeldor, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, Haim Laskov and others.


Photo by: Uriel Cohen

Photo by: Avital Schechter

Photo by: Igor Macnev

Photo by: אסף קמינסקי
Contact
Address: Ben Gurion Street, Moshav Avihayil 4291000 (near Netanya, 4291000)
There is an entrance fee, which is waived for soldiers and policemen.
Open: Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Phone: 09-862-9240, 09-8822212
Email: hagdudim_museum@mod.gov.il