Bamahane
Encyclopedia
Bamahane is a Hebrew-language weekly magazine published by the Israel Defense Forces
. It was first published in December 1934 by the Haganah
and has been published as a weekly ever since.
While Bamahane is subordinate to the IDF's Education and Youth Corps, it is unusually independent, and until 2006, was not censored by the IDF Spokesman
. As such, its content was the center of several controversies, to the extent that in May 2001, the head of the Education Corps, Brigadier General
Elazar Stern
, decided to close the publication, an order which did not come to pass.
office of the Haganah. Its chief editor, until 1947, was Ephraim Talmi. Notable writers, such as Nathan Alterman
and Leah Goldberg
, wrote for it. At the end of 1947 it became the Haganah's national publication. During that time period, Moshe Shamir
became its chief editor. With the founding of the IDF, Bamahane became the soldiers' newspaper.
Between 2000 and 2005, Bamahane consisted of 2 parts: one including news articles related to military and security matters, and the other containing editorials, interviews, photo-ops, etc. From January 2006, it is one publication in the form of a 68-page magazine.
Bamahanes chief editor (since 2008) is Yoni Shanfeld. Additionally, Bamahane employs about 20 writers. the editor before Yoni was Ranny Raviv, who has been writing for it since the 1980s and now is part of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit
.
, Bamahane continued to exist.
In September 2005, 3 of Bamahane's writers were dismissed for not following a prohibition from the IDF Spokesperson's Unit
to document and publish stories and photographs of the relocation of Jewish graves from Gush Katif
into Israel proper. As a result of this and other incidents, in January 2006, the head of the Manpower Directorate, now Major General
Elazar Stern
, ordered each piece in the magazine to undergo careful inspection by the spokesperson's unit. Bamahanes staff accused him of attempting to turn the publication into another Pravda
.
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
. It was first published in December 1934 by the Haganah
Haganah
Haganah was a Jewish paramilitary organization in what was then the British Mandate of Palestine from 1920 to 1948, which later became the core of the Israel Defense Forces.- Origins :...
and has been published as a weekly ever since.
While Bamahane is subordinate to the IDF's Education and Youth Corps, it is unusually independent, and until 2006, was not censored by the IDF Spokesman
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit is the unit in the IDF Operations Directorate, responsible for information policy and media relations. The unit is led by the IDF Spokesperson, a brigadier general and member of the General Staff, and by the Deputy Spokesperson, a colonel. The current Spokesperson is...
. As such, its content was the center of several controversies, to the extent that in May 2001, the head of the Education Corps, Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
Elazar Stern
Elazar Stern
Elazar Stern is a former general in the Israel Defense Forces and former head of the Israeli Human Resources Directorate. Born in Tel Aviv, Stern attended Bar Ilan University, where he received a B.A. in Economics and Land of Israel Studies. He also received a Master's degree in Business...
, decided to close the publication, an order which did not come to pass.
History
Bamahane started in December 1934 as an underground publication by the Tel AvivTel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
office of the Haganah. Its chief editor, until 1947, was Ephraim Talmi. Notable writers, such as Nathan Alterman
Nathan Alterman
Nathan Alterman was an Israeli poet, playwright, journalist, and translator who – though never holding any elected office – was highly influential in Socialist Zionist politics, both before and after the establishment of the State of Israel.-Biography:...
and Leah Goldberg
Leah Goldberg
Leah Goldberg was a prolific Hebrew poet, author, playwright, literary translator, and comparative literary researcher. Her writings are considered classics of Israeli literature and remain very popular among Hebrew speaking Israelis.-Biography:...
, wrote for it. At the end of 1947 it became the Haganah's national publication. During that time period, Moshe Shamir
Moshe Shamir
Moshe Shamir was an Israeli author, playwright, opinion writer, and public figure.-Biography:...
became its chief editor. With the founding of the IDF, Bamahane became the soldiers' newspaper.
Between 2000 and 2005, Bamahane consisted of 2 parts: one including news articles related to military and security matters, and the other containing editorials, interviews, photo-ops, etc. From January 2006, it is one publication in the form of a 68-page magazine.
Current status
Bamahanes circulation is in the tens of thousands, mainly read by soldiers who receive the magazine in their bases on Thursdays. Additionally, many Israeli civilians close to the IDF choose to subscribe to the publication.Bamahanes chief editor (since 2008) is Yoni Shanfeld. Additionally, Bamahane employs about 20 writers. the editor before Yoni was Ranny Raviv, who has been writing for it since the 1980s and now is part of the IDF Spokesperson's Unit
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit is the unit in the IDF Operations Directorate, responsible for information policy and media relations. The unit is led by the IDF Spokesperson, a brigadier general and member of the General Staff, and by the Deputy Spokesperson, a colonel. The current Spokesperson is...
.
Controversies
In May 2001, the commander of the Education Corps at the time, Elazar Stern, ordered the closure of Bamahane, due to 'questionable material', including a front-page article about a homosexual colonel. Due to public outrage and an appeal to Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-EliezerBinyamin Ben-Eliezer
Binyamin Fuad Ben-Eliezer , , born 12 February 1936) is an Israeli politician and former military officer of Iraqi origin. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party, and has held several ministerial posts, including Minister of Industry, Trade and Labour, Minister of...
, Bamahane continued to exist.
In September 2005, 3 of Bamahane's writers were dismissed for not following a prohibition from the IDF Spokesperson's Unit
IDF Spokesperson's Unit
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit is the unit in the IDF Operations Directorate, responsible for information policy and media relations. The unit is led by the IDF Spokesperson, a brigadier general and member of the General Staff, and by the Deputy Spokesperson, a colonel. The current Spokesperson is...
to document and publish stories and photographs of the relocation of Jewish graves from Gush Katif
Gush Katif
Gush Katif was a bloc of 17 Israeli settlements in the southern Gaza strip. Gush Katif was specifically mentioned by Yitzhak Rabin, the Israeli prime minister who fell victim to an assassin in 1995, as essential to Israel's security border. In August 2005, the Israeli army moved the 8,600...
into Israel proper. As a result of this and other incidents, in January 2006, the head of the Manpower Directorate, now Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Elazar Stern
Elazar Stern
Elazar Stern is a former general in the Israel Defense Forces and former head of the Israeli Human Resources Directorate. Born in Tel Aviv, Stern attended Bar Ilan University, where he received a B.A. in Economics and Land of Israel Studies. He also received a Master's degree in Business...
, ordered each piece in the magazine to undergo careful inspection by the spokesperson's unit. Bamahanes staff accused him of attempting to turn the publication into another Pravda
Pravda
Pravda was a leading newspaper of the Soviet Union and an official organ of the Central Committee of the Communist Party between 1912 and 1991....
.
Notable writers
The following have been regular writers for Bamahane during their military service:- Ehud OlmertEhud OlmertEhud Olmert is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He served as Prime Minister of Israel from 2006 to 2009, as a Cabinet Minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006, and as Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003....
, politician and prime minister - Nisim AloniNisim Aloni-Biography:Aloni was born in Mandate Palestine to a poor family in Florentin, a neighborhood in south Tel Aviv which later became an inspiration for his work....
, playwright - Eitan HaberEitan HaberEitan Haber is an Israeli journalist and publicist. He is known for his writing on military and security issues, and for his longtime association with the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.-Biography:...
, journalist - Tzachi HanegbiTzachi HanegbiTzachi Hanegbi is a prominent Israeli lawmaker and security expert. Hanegbi was the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee at the Knesset. Among the top cabinet positions he previously held are Minister of Justice, Minister of Internal Security and Minister of Intelligence and...
, politician - Yair LapidYair LapidYair Lapid is an Israeli journalist, author, TV presenter, and news anchor.-Biography:He is the son of politician Yosef Lapid and author...
, journalist and TV personality - Ram OrenRam OrenRam Oren is a popular Israeli author who has sold an unprecedented 1 million books in Hebrew.Oren started writing books only at a relatively advanced age. At age 15, he began his journalistic career as a messenger boy for Yediot Aharonot. He advanced to editorship of important sections of the paper...
, author - Imanuel RosenImanuel RosenEmmanuel Rosen is an Israeli journalist, political analyst and media personality. He has worked in radio, television and print media. He currently presents a weekly programme on Israel’s Channel 2 about the media. -Media career:...
, journalist and TV personality - Renen SchorrRenen SchorrRenen Schorr is a film director, screenwriter, film producer. In 1989, he became head of Israel’s first independent, national school for film and television. He then founded the Sam Spiegel Film & TV School – Jerusalem, and has served as its director since that time.-Background:Son of a physician,...
, film director