The Arms Cache in Nahlal

The arms cache on the Avidov family farm on Moshav Nahalal was one of the largest and most important caches in the Yishuv (the Jewish settlement enterprise in the Land of Israel) during the British Mandate period. Disguised as a pit for the urine of the farm’s cows, the 25-square meter, five-meter deep cache was dug in 1943. After the “Black Sabbath” (June 29, 1946, when British troops arrested 2.700 leaders of the Yishuv and confiscated large amounts of arms), the entrance to the cache was sealed for fear of its being discovered by the British. Once the War of Independence broke out, the cache was reopened and its contents distributed among the fighters.

The unique family museum located above the cache-named “The Arms Cache in Nahalal tells the story of the Avidov family, whose history is intertwined with the establishment of the State of Israel and its security. The palm tree located at the site is also related to the family’s history. In 1955, Yanni Avidov smuggled 75.000 date-palm saplings out of Iraq in a daring, adventure-filled journey. The various species of dates he brought back helped revive the ancient date-growing tradition in Israel. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be happy to share the story with you. You can look forward to a fascinating visit that takes you back to a secret and exciting period!

Don’t miss: A guided tour by Oter Avidov, third-generation member of Nahalal and certified tour guide, that includes the arms cache, the Nahalal area and the Jezreel Valley.

Especially for children: Stories about the Jezreel valley, activity sheets and other activities.

Did you know? The cache on the Avidor family farm was the inspiration for the cache in Meir Shalev’s books Russian Romance and The Blue Mountain.