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From the Order of the Day for the Establishment of the Israel Defence Forces
With the establishment of the State of Israel, the HAGANA (the Zionist Defence Organization) emerged from the underground' and turned into a regular army...
And now a new era begins - the regular army of the State of Israel is established - the army of freedom and independence of Israel in our country, in accordance with the temporary government order as published for the public, regarding the Israel Defence Forces. This army will be responsible, from now on, for the defence and security of our people and homeland. All armed services of Israel will revere and honour the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel, which states as follows:
"The State of Israel will open its gates to Jewish immigration and the ingathering of exiles; will develop the country for the benefit of its citizens; will be based on the foundations of liberty, justice and peace as envisioned by the Prophets of Israel; will uphold full social and political equality for all citizens regardless of religion, race or sex; will ensure freedom of religion, conscience, speech, education and culture; will secure the holy places of all religions; and will be faithful to the principles of the Declaration of the United Nations.
While preparing for the battlefield and when overcoming the forces of malice and evil who seek to destroy our very existence, our development and our liberty, the Israel Defence Forces shall carry in their hearts the great vision of our prophets for the days when "nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more". The regular army of the State of Israel will be composed of ground, naval and air forces, as well as auxiliary military services.
The Israel Defence Forces will be composed of all those having served up to June 1 in the different combat and auxiliary formations and those who participated in the defence of the Jewish community and in the War of Independence of Israel, as well as those to be re-enlisted according to the order of the Government of Israel. All soldiers, men and women, serving in the army must take the following oath: 'I hereby swear and pledge on all that is just, to uphold my faith in the State of Israel, to its constitution and legal authorities, to accept unconditionally and categorically the discipline of the Israel Defence Forces, to obey all orders and instructions delivered by certified commanders and to invest all my energies and even sacrifice my own life in defence of our homeland and the liberty of Israel.'
The moral and physical strength of every soldier and commander and his allegiance to fulfil his duty will make the Israel Defence Forces a vigorous fortress for maintaining the peace of our national homeland.
Prime Minister and Minister of Defence
D. Ben-Gurion
22 of the month of lyar, 5708, May 31, 1948
The First Year of Israel's independence
The stamp shows a photograph of the swearing in of soldiers, immediately following the establishment of the IDF (by courtesy of the IDF Archives), together with the JOF emblem intertwined with the military decorations of the various wars: the War of Independence, the Sinai Campaign, the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War and the Peace of Galilee War. The War of Independence decoration adorns the edges of the stamp.
