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The word MACHAL is an acronym for the Hebrew, Mitnadvei Chutz L’Aretz, meaning “Volunteers from Overseas.”
Most of the overseas volunteers had served in the Allied Forces during World War II, and they brought their much-needed expertise and experience to the fledgling IDF. These Machalniks, men and women, Jews and non-Jews, over 4,500 in number and from 59 countries, fought valiantly and served with distinction in every branch of the IDF, including Air Force and Navy, Artillery, Armored Corps, Infantry, Medical Corps., Engineers, Communications, Radar, Anti-Tank, etc., and many Machalniks held key positions of command. The Machalniks certainly made a significant contribution not only towards winning the War, but also in laying the foundations on which Zahal is based – Army, Air Force, Navy.