Ayalon Institute Museum

Next to the Rehovot Science Park, on Kibbutz Hill, stands the Ayalon Institute, which tells one of the most fascinating and mysterious stories in the history of the struggle for the establishment of the State of Israel. Here, beneath the ground, and right under the nose of the British, a factory was created for the production of 9mm bullets used in the Sten submachine gun, which was the personal weapon of the Palmach fighters. The factory lay eight meters below the ground and was about the size of a tennis court.

The task was assigned to members of the Scouts 'A' group, who were joined by others, a total of 45 young men and women. The site operated in complete secrecy from 1945 until 1948, a period in which over four million bullets were produced. At the site you will find: an audiovisual show, guided tours, a reconstructed dining room, the delegations house, halls and rooms, showers and bathrooms, an area to hold events, conventions and seminars of up to 400 guests, as well as a Eucalyptus grove with picnic tables and lodging tents.

For the general public there are: Guided tours with an emphasis on Zionism, devotion and decision making, an instructive tour of the factory itself, locating the factories secret entrance, which was hidden inside an innocent laundry mat, going underground, an inspection of the ammunition production machinery still active today, while listening to the stories of this most secret place. Tours outside regular hours of operation at additional charge. Visitations and must be reserved by telephone in advance