zahalhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zahal_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZahal, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

Zahalnoun

  1. 1959–
    The name applied by the Israelis to their defence forces, formed originally in 1948 by the fusion of pre-independence military organizations.
    1. 1959
      The Haganah disbanded, the Irgunist and the Sternist forces and their members were fused into the Zahal, made up of the initial Hebrew letters of Zva Haganah L'Israel—Israel's National Army.
      A. M. Heller, Israel's Odyssey 61
    2. 1969
      Zahal's chief of staff was delegated the operational function of maintaining and training the army.
      A. Perlmutter, Military & Politics in Israel v. 55
    3. 1971
      Very few top-ranking Israeli officers gave their Zahal (Defence Force) more than one chance in three of pulling it off.
      Scope (South Africa) 19 March 17/3
    4. 1975
      The twins did not have to lose two years to the Zahal, as the [Israeli] army does not draft religious girls.
      C. A. Haddad, Moroccan i. 7
    5. 1982
      The leadership opted for a unified command for Zahal in which there would be one general headquarters and a chief of staff.
      Murray & Viotti, Defense Policies of Nations ix. 378

Zahal, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

Zahal, n. was last modified in December 2024.