A pin commemorating the activity of the Air Force in Jerusalem during the War of Independence [Israel, late 1940s or 1950].
At the center of the pin there is an airplane flying above David's Tower, surrounded by the Hebrew legend: "Air Force Jerusalem".
Since late 1947, battles took place for the control over the road to Jerusalem and in light of the fear that the city will be cut off, the members of the Haganah searched for an appropriate location for an airstrip. In March 1948, such a location was found in Emek HaMatzleva and later in Givat Shaul as well. On April 24, 1948, the airstrip in Emek HaMatzleva was opened and although it was too short, it was the only one used since the airstrip in Givat Shaul became dangerous after the forces of the Arab legion captured the village of Nebi Samuel, which overlooked it. Until the end of the siege of Jerusalem, the airstrip in Emek HaMatzleva served the forming IDF Air Force.
Diameter: 3.5 cm. Good condition. A few stains.
Provenance: The Rimon Family Collection.