About Us

About Us

Welcome to Zahal Online Store’s new website. We have been in business since 2001 and ever since, we have had the privilege of serving thousands of customers reaching from Hawaii to Vladivostok. Our mission is to offer state of the art Israeli army equipment and hard to find IDF memorabilia together with competitive prices and exceptional service. Our customers consist of professional soldiers, contractors, arms enthusiasts and Israel/IDF supporters.

Zahal was established when Uri Dotan-Bochner, a retired Israeli Submariner, had the idea of offering a large product range made in Israel for the IDF and police, to far away markets abroad. Apart from stocking a large amount of products, we at Zahal believe that it’s not only the quality of the merchandise that counts, but the professional, speedy service as well. We are aware that you the customer have many other vendors to choose from, and because we truly enjoy what we do, we will do our utmost to make your purchasing experience a great one.

 
Uri Dotan Bochner as young submariner, Haifa naval base, 1970.
Uri Dotan Bochner as young submariner, Haifa naval base, 1970.

Uri's Story: We belong to a family that is committed to the security of Israel since the establishment of the state. Uri's late father, Michael Bochner, fought as a Partisan against the Nazis in the mountains of Serbia during World War II. After the war and at the end of our War of Independence, he joined the young Israeli Police force. He retired as a Brigadier General. My dad was very active until his last days. At the age of 80, he was still working for the sake of our state. My dad passed away in December 2008 at the age of 84. His deeds for the state will never be forgotten.

Michael Bochner right after the victory over the nazis and 15 years later as a young police inspector in Jerusalem.
Michael Bochner right after the victory over the nazis and 15 years later as a young police inspector in Jerusalem.

Uri was born in Jerusalem and served my military service in the Israeli submarine force. While in the navy, Irit (his wife) served in the Air Force. Sea and Air met together and get married a year after the Yom Kippur War. The older son works for Israel's Leumi Bank, while the younger son Yoav runs the business now. He followed his father's footsteps into the submarine force, a fact that makes me extremely proud. Uri retired, left his comfortable desk job in Jerusalem and established together with his wife this on-line business. Uri's old connections allowed him to get the best IDF products and surplus for our clientele. Since we have launched our online store we expanded slowly and have served tens of thousands of satisfied customers who love and support Israel and not by word of mouth only.

     

Allow us to show you some pictures out of our photo album:

  Daily life in the office: