The Palmach

The Palmach was an elite unit within the underground Jewish military organization in British Mandate Palestine, active from 1941 to 1948. Comprised of highly trained volunteers, its mission was to defend Jewish communities, gather intelligence, and prepare for the establishment of a Jewish state. The Palmach played a key role in clandestine operations, such as sabotaging enemy infrastructure and assisting Jewish immigration. After Israel's independence, many members integrated into the newly formed Israel Defense Forces (IDF), becoming foundational to Israel’s military development.