Ayalon Institute

The Ayalon Institute

Located in Rehovot, just south of Tel Aviv, it is part of a re-state kibbutz - and is situated on what is called "kibbutzim hill".

The site tells the story of  a secret weapons factory that was constructed several feet underground when the struggle to found Israel was still taking place. The Jewish fighters knew that a war would eventually ensue and in preparation for the war they built an underground bullet factory, right under the noses of the British that were in control at the time. The entrance to the factory was the kibbutz laundry area - with huge laundry machines that were situated on top of a secret entrance to a winding underground staircase that leads to the factory.

Members of the kibbutz that worked in the factory would access the factory by this means. All other members of the kibbutz did not know of the factory's existence.   Secrecy was kept in order to hide the weapon-producing activities from the eyes of the British.

Visitors today can view a movie of the story and can also   ascend through ladders to view the production halls and learn more about the clandestine operation. There are tours that can be booked in advance in English.

Nearby Places of Interest

The Weisman Institute of Science is located approximately five minutes away.