Galei Tzahal Marks 76 Years: A Look at Israel's Unique Military Radio Station

Galei Tzahal, Israel's military radio station, is celebrating its 76th anniversary, marking a unique position in global media as a station primarily serving the general public rather than solely military personnel. Its programming blends sharp current affairs, culture, and music.

The station began broadcasting from a temporary wooden structure at a school in Ramat Gan. It later moved to its well-known location in Jaffa in 1958. The iconic news intro music is based on the station's anthem from the 1950s, historically preceded by a traditional announcer's call before traffic and news reports.

Galei Tzahal has served as a training ground for many leading Israeli journalists and broadcasters, including Ilana Dayan, Yaakov Eilon, Tamar Almog, Erez Tal, and Avri Gilad. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the station commenced 24-hour continuous broadcasting to provide information to soldiers and families, a format that continues to this day.

In 1993, the spin-off station Galgalatz was established in cooperation with the National Road Safety Authority. It quickly became Israel's most-listened-to radio station and a major influence on musical taste. Despite various initiatives over the years to close or civilianize the station, it has persisted under the Ministry of Defense's auspices.

The station maintains its military character through programs like the historic "Shalom from Students and Soldiers" and special broadcasts for soldiers in the field. Its archives hold tens of thousands of rare recordings, live studio performances, and field recordings of historical events. Annually, on Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, the station produces "Soon We Will Turn Into a Song," where leading artists set to music and perform songs written by the fallen.