These pictures, reprinted from my book “Burn Mark: A Photographic Memoir Of The Six Day War,” document my experiences as an Israeli reservist infantry soldier in the battle of Jerusalem during the Six Day War, and shortly afterward.

I photographed things as they happened, and wrote them down within a year. They fell into a plot that follows the fate of one charismatic soldier, Ellik (as I will call him), who served at my side throughout the conflict. As the war approaches, the reader becomes familiar with his qualities. Ellik dies at the end of the book, which remained unpublished until 2014.

The story can be read as pastoral, with undertones of youth, love, nature and fate. As in a classic pastoral work, storm clouds soon gather, and tragedy strikes. The young reservists can be seen as standing for the idealism, energy and self-sacrifice of a youthful Israel. The pictures capture an outburst of violence, and the fateful act of occupation, down to the precise historical moment of breakthrough into the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. There is a moral transgression, and also something like retribution. The series of photos contains images of the Palestinian shock and humiliation, and of the first stirrings of defiance. That June in Jerusalem was a historical crossroads. The book contains the portents of a future perceived only dimly at the time.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Avner Offer is the author of “Burn Mark: A Photographic Memoir Of The Six Day War” (Lintel Press, 2014).

1 / 9

Calm before the storm: soldiers relax by a campfire while training for the Six Day War. Photo by Avner Offer

2 / 9

Hard Landing: Dropping in the dunes during a training exercise before the Six Day War. Photo by Avner Offer

3 / 9

Photographer Avner Offer’s fellow IDF soldier and friend Ellik. Photo by Avner Offer

4 / 9

Exhausted IDF soldiers during a pause of shelling in Jerusalem. Photo by Avner Offer

5 / 9

Breaking into the Old City of Jerusalem. Lion’s Gate, 9.45am, 7 June 1967. Photo by Avner Offer

6 / 9

Platoon Commander in the portico of the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount. Photo by Avner Offer

7 / 9

Soldiers fire while in The portico of the Dome of the Rock. Photo by Avner Offer

8 / 9

IDF soldiers identify potential foes in East Jerusalem. Photo by Avner Offer

9 / 9

Discarded weapons signal the end of the fighting. Photo by Avner Offer

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount