INS Dakar Memorial

The INS Dakar Memorial is a concrete structure shaped like a submarine with its lower section embedded in the ground at Mount Herzl. It stands within the Garden of Missing Soldiers, beside a wall engraved with names of military personnel missing from various operations.

The memorial commemorates 69 Israeli Navy personnel who perished when their submarine vanished in the Mediterranean during its 1968 voyage from Britain. This loss represented one of the largest tragedies in Israeli naval history.

The submarine shape directly references the vessel that vanished, creating a tangible link between the memorial and the grief of those who lost loved ones. Visitors encounter a memorial that honors memory through concrete form rather than abstract representation.

The memorial sits near other commemorative sites on Mount Herzl, making it easy to visit as part of a larger tour of the area. It is best visited early in the day when fewer people are present and the grounds are easier to navigate.

The memorial houses a small chamber where the names of all 69 crew members are engraved, creating an intimate space that visitors can experience directly. This proximity to individual names makes the experience of the site immediate and moving.

Location: Jerusalem

Official opening: 1970

Height: 3 m

GPS coordinates: 31.77625,35.17979

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:50