Tour this unusual museum without artefacts or documents at the contemporary headquarters of the former underground army of the Jewish community.
The Palmach Museum is a little-known tourist attraction with a big impact, especially for those with a special interest in the foundation of the State of Israel. Delve into the underground world of the Palmach and learn all about this Jewish army through a 3-D, multimedia experience. Listen to the personal stories of secret soldiers and learn how this elite force helped to shape the nation.
Palmach House was designed like a fort to symbolize the underground character of the Palmach. The contemporary bastion comprises the highly interactive Palmach Museum, the Palmach Photo Gallery and, next to the library, the Memorial Room commemorating the fallen Palmach members. The Palmach Generation Association's offices are located above the museum’s lobby.
The Palmach was the secret para-military brigade of the Zionist movement and the Haganah, the elite force army of the Yishuv, as the Jewish Community in pre-State Palestine is known. Established during World War II, this underground movement expanded rapidly. Among its members was Yitzhak Rabin, who would go on to become Israel’s prime minister.
The Palmach Museum opened in 2000 to commemorate the Palmach forces. Book a guided group tour with a former Palmach fighter for a gripping experience. In each room you get to know a new character through a multimedia presentation. At the end you will have “met” seven fallen soldiers, from their first day as new recruits through the end of the War of Independence in 1948. The 90-minute tours start and finish in the memorial hall, where you can pay your respects.
Palmach House is located in Ramat Aviv, a neighborhood in northwest Tel Aviv. You can visit from Sunday to Friday if you make an appointment. Bring photo ID with you. Without a booking, you can still visit the Palmach Photo Gallery, free of charge. Due to the immersive nature of this war museum, entry is prohibited for kids aged 5 and under. The characters in the presentation speak Hebrew, but you can get headphones with English translations in the lobby.
