A special wing of the museum is devoted to the history of the Israeli navy, whose roots go back to this very clandestine immigration operation, which took place at the time of the British Mandate. Included in this naval display are photos, certificates, sketches of skirmishes with the British authorities, models of the ships, original exhibits, and finally, examples of arms and weaponry which were used in naval warfare during that time. In the yard which leads to the entrance to the ship, you can see the towering figure of the bridge of the submarine, the INS Dakar, which was retrieved from the water at the very site where it went under, from the astonishing depths of 3,000 metres. The entrance hall is used as a meeting place for various visiting groups. Here you can find a number of exhibits of supreme importance, including a model of the very famous immigration ship, the Exodus.

The clandestine immigration ship, the Af al pi chen (In spite of all that) played its own part during the Second World War as a landing craft for tanks. It was then converted into a clandestine immigration ship by the people who were instrumental in organising the Second Aliyah (The Mossad le-Aliyah Bet). The ship has been preserved in its entirety, i.e., both its external structure and its fittings and accessories. What is more, in the ship’s lower deck, reconstructions have been made of the original bunks, the water distribution point and the radio control room (code-name the ‘Gideoni’)

The area underneath the ship tells the story of the struggle against the British, including a description of what life was like for the illegal immigrants who were captured and imprisoned in the detention camps which were located in Cyprus. Among the most outstanding exhibits which are symbolic of this struggle is a section of the Patria, one of the clandestine immigrant ships which was sunk just as it was entering the harbour in Haifa.

Quite a number of original exhibits have also been transferred from the camps in Cyprus. All of these are exhibits made by hand, depicting the daily routine of life in these camps. The display of naval exhibits is spread over four sections throughout the exhibition hall and continues into the grounds of the museum.

The first section of this naval exhibition deals with the early beginnings of Israel’s navy. This includes the story of the people who created the navy, as well as how the illegal immigration ships were transferred into war ships. It is hard to believe that it was these people in these very vessels who actually realised their dream and gave us the State of Israel in 1948.

One of the most outstanding examples in this section is the amazing story of the naval operation which was code-named ‘Shoded’. There is also a description of the sinking of the Egyptian flagship by the Israel commando boats, as well as the INS Eilat 16a - a ship dating from the First World War – in the first battle ever to take place in our naval history.

The second section depicts the 1950s, when Israel’s navy fleet first set sail throughout the length and breadths of the ocean deep, whilst her commando ships were gradually becoming more and more refined. Israel’s navy played its part in the Sinai War, even gaining extra and significant reinforcements from an unexpected source to add to the already-existing number of destroyers ….

At the end of this decade, a very determined and inspired military officer, named Yosele Daror, possessed of great foresight and vision, established Israel’s flotilla of submarines.

One of the most important exhibits in this second section is a depiction of the surrender of the Egyptian destroyer, The Ibrahim Al Awal, which can be found on the original table of the ship’s combat center. Next to the table you can find several items which belonged to members of the naval commando. These include examples of their equipment and uniforms.

The third section deals with the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s. Starting with the stinging naval failures of the Six Day War, which were followed by two disasters in which heavy naval casualties were inflicted, the Israeli navy implemented dramatic changes which culminated in the truly astounding victories of the Yom Kippur War.

One of the most outstanding exhibits in this section is the Dakar submarine emergency buoy, which was discovered a year after the submarine had sunk. The submarine itself, however, was not discovered till many years afterwards, despite the extensive search which was made for it. In addition, you can also view the uniform which belonged to the submarine’s crew member, Yosef ‘Almog’ Suisa, which was found in close proximity to the sunken submarine.

The fourth section describes the progress of the Yom Kippur War, the coastal bombardment against the enemy and the fighting in the area of the Red Sea. In addition, you will also be able to view a depiction of the operation known as ‘Peace in Galilee’, which became the First Lebanese War (1982), as well as the war against the terrorists. One of the most important exhibits in this section is a tank which was used to smuggle weapons, one of eighty such tanks which were captured on the terrorist ship, the Karin A. Outside, in the grounds of the museum, are displayed some very large items, which are too big for the museum itself. These are heavyweight guns and cannons which made history, enemy ships, terrorist boats and, at the far end, the INS Mivtach, the first Israeli missile boat.

Visiting times:  Sundays – Thursdays: 08.30 – 16.00 hours

Fridays, and eves of Jewish festivals: 08.30 – 12.00 (by advanced booking only)

Address: 204, Allenby Rd, Haifa, postcode: 35472

Telephone: 04 – 8536249