Thieves break into Haganah war exhibit, steal 20 decommissioned weapons

Police launch investigation to retrieve stolen 1940s firearms; secret weapons cache in Kibbutz Mishmar HaSharon was turned into a museum in recent years

By Emanuel Fabian

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10 September 2022, 7:26 pm

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Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Firearms are seen at a Haganah exhibit in Kibbutz Mishmar HaSharon in central Israel. Some 20 weapons were stolen from the site on September 10, 2022. (Hefer Valley Regional Council)

Thieves broke into a historical secret weapons cache-turned-exhibit in central Israel and stole a number of old firearms overnight Friday, police and local authorities said.

None of the 20 weapons taken from the Haganah exhibit in Kibbutz Mishmar HaSharon were able to fire live ammunition.

Police on Saturday said officers examined the scene and launched an investigation into the matter.

“We view the break-in to the Haganah secret cache, which is a heritage site containing historical items of great importance, very gravely,” the Hefer Valley Regional Council said in a statement.

“We are sure that every effort will be made by the police to find the weapons and return them to the secret cache, and bring the burglars to justice,” the local authority added.

The cache was put together in 1940 by the Haganah, the largest Jewish underground military organization in pre-Israel Mandatory Palestine, under a barn in the kibbutz. According to the regional council, in 1946, British authorities searched the town but did not find the cache.

The entrance to a Haganah weapons cache-tuned-exhibit in Kibbutz Mishmar HaSharon in central Israel. Some 20 weapons were stolen from the site on September 10, 2022. (Hefer Valley Regional Council)

Several years ago, the entrance to the cache was renovated and it was turned into a museum with guided tours.

In February, six thieves broke into a museum dedicated to the Golani Brigade and stole several decommissioned weapons, before being arrested several hours later.