Kol Yisrael Facts for Kids

Entrance to Kol Israel Facilities in Romema, Jerusalem

Kol Yisrael means "Voice of Israel." It was Israel's main public radio service. This means it was a radio station for people inside Israel and also for listeners around the world.

Kol Yisrael was part of the Israel Broadcasting Authority until May 14, 2017. The next day, its radio channels were taken over by the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.

You could listen to all Kol Yisrael stations from anywhere in the world. They used streaming audio over the Internet. You could hear both live shows and older programs that were saved.

The Story of Kol Yisrael Radio
- How Kol Yisrael Began Broadcasting
- Kol Yisrael Becomes Official
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The Story of Kol Yisrael Radio

A memorial plaque to one of the underground radio broadcast stations of the Hagana

Kol Yisrael started as a secret radio station. It belonged to a group called the Haganah. This group worked underground, meaning they operated secretly, before Israel became a country.

How Kol Yisrael Began Broadcasting

The station began broadcasting regularly in December 1947. Its first name was Telem-Shamir-Boaz. In March 1948, it changed its name to Kol HaHagana, which means "Voice of the Haganah."

Kol Yisrael Becomes Official

On May 14, 1948, Israel declared its independence. At that moment, the secret radio station became the official Kol Yisrael.

The very first broadcast of the official Kol Yisrael was a live event. It was from Tel Aviv, where David Ben-Gurion read Israel's declaration of independence.

At first, a department of the Ministry of the Interior managed the radio service. Later, it was moved to the Office of Posts and Telegraphs. Finally, the Prime Minister's Office took responsibility for Kol Yisrael.