This is a picture of IDF cannons at a Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) parade. The time and place are unknown. The colourful photograph shows artillerymen and their cannons in a stadium decorated with Israeli flags and a large crowd assembled to watch the parade. The soldiers are facing the audience, presumably towards the stage where the dignitaries were sitting.
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IDF - The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was founded shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. Before then there had been several military groups, but Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion officially unified them into one national army on May 26, 1948. The IDF consists of ground forces, air force, and navy. The IDF’s security objectives are: to defend the existence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the State of Israel; to deter all of Israel’s enemies; and to curb all forms of terrorism which threaten daily life. The IDF follows a code of ethics called the “Spirit of the IDF.” All soldiers are trained in this code and expected to obey it. Military service is compulsory for all Israeli citizens over the age of 18, although there are some exceptions: most notably, ultra-orthodox men who are studying in yeshivas and married women. Religious women have the option of doing sherut leumi (community service) instead of serving in the IDF. The general length of service is two years and eight months for men and two years for women. After completing regular service in the IDF, Israelis are obliged to join a reserve unit and continue serving as needed. Since the IDF touches the life of almost all Israelis, it also serves as a welfare institution by teaching and supporting disadvantaged soldiers and civilians in Israel and even abroad. Since its inauguration, volunteers from around the world have joined the IDF. Currently, soldiers from over 70 countries are serving in the IDF, with 25% of them coming from the United States.
IDF Military Parades - Israel held military parades each year on Yom Ha’atzmaut from 1968. The last military parade was held in 1973 in honour of Israel’s 25th anniversary. The tradition of military parades ended due to budgetary concerns and, perhaps, changes in Israeli society. Today, the IDF opens many of its bases on Yom Ha’atzmaut and holds weapon exhibitions.
